The European Union and the Council of Europe have been supporting the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their efforts to align with European standards, as these reforms are pivotal for improving the lives of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thanks to the co-operation under the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, significant results have been achieved, paving the way to further activities on the reform path of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of human rights, rule of law and democracy.

Under the third phase of the programme, for the period 2023 – 2026, the European Union and Council of Europe have allocated €4.5 million to six actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The actions are covering the fight against discrimination and protection of rights of vulnerable groups, penitentiary reform, ensuring quality education for all, promotion and protection of the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, as well as provision of legislative expertise and advisory opinions. The third phase of the programme includes two new themes – fight against economic crime and strengthening quality and efficiency of justice.

Emina Merdan, Acting Assistant Minister for Multilateral Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underlined that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to continuation of co-operation and to co-ordination of the programme on behalf of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“As a member of the Council of Europe and candidate country for the European Union membership, Bosnia and Herzegovina shares and promotes values of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Therefore, we remain committed to strengthening democracy and institutions, protecting, and promoting human rights and the rule of law”, said Merdan.

Karel Lizerot, Head of Operations section for Justice and Home Affairs and Public Administration Reform of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted that the European union has been a dedicated partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina in reforming crucial areas.

“The Western Balkans are a geostrategic priority for the EU. It is in our common interest to speed up enlargement, with the EU perspective as the main driving force for urgently needed reforms. The Council of Europe is a strategic partner for the EU in this process due to its standard setting role for important parts of the relevant EU acquis but also due to the high-level of expertise and its unique methodology of assistance. For this joint programme, which has proven to be of added value to EU integration in BiH the EU has so far allocated 90 million euros”, said Lizerot.

Substantial reforms require long-term efforts and continued action. To this end, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Union and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been working on reforms in crucial areas within the Horizontal Facility programme since 2016.

“The programme is designed for the benefits of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We need to ensure inclusivity, meaning that the advancing of reforms in the area of human rights, rule of law and democracy leaves no one behind,” said Schnutz Rudolf Dürr, Head of Programming and Resource Mobilisation Department, Directorate of Programme Co-ordination of the Council of Europe.

The meeting with beneficiary institutions discussed key achievements of the actions implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina so far, as well as plans for continuing the successful co-operation.

The joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative, running from 2023 until 2026. It enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process. The current, third phase of the programme, is worth €41 million (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).