BETA


2015/2897(RSP) Resolution on the 2015 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead AFET PREDA Cristian Dan (icon: PPE PPE) KHAN Afzal (icon: S&D S&D), DZHAMBAZKI Angel (icon: ECR ECR), RADOŠ Jozo (icon: ALDE ALDE), ŠOLTES Igor (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 132-p2

Events

2016/09/20
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2016/04/14
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2016/04/14
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the 2015 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

It welcomed the first more positive Commission Report on BiH and the submission of the application for EU membership by BiH on 15 February 2016 , and called on the Council to examine this application at the earliest opportunity. In this regard, Members welcomed the adoption by the BiH Council of Ministers (CoM), on 26 January 2016, of a decision establishing a coordination mechanism on EU matters and, on 9 February 2016, of the negotiation position on the adaptation of the Stablisation and Association Agreement (SAA) following the accession of Croatia to the EU. These elements are necessary for the EU to consider the membership application as credible, alongside meaningful progress in the implementation of the Reform Agenda.

Reforms: Parliament reiterated the need to continue also with constitutional, legal and political reforms that would transform BiH into a fully effective, inclusive and functional state. The authorities must actively promote the principles of legitimate representation, federalism, decentralisation and subsidiarity, as well as European values and the importance of the European perspective. Members felt that the EU institutions should become actively involved in the efforts to find a sustainable solution to BiH’s constitutional arrangements. They also urged political and religious leaders to refrain from divisive nationalistic and secessionist rhetoric that polarises society and to continue with political dialogue.

Parliament wen on to raise the following issues;

· the fragmentation of public administration , its politicisation and weak policy coordination hamper institutional and legislative reforms and BiH must develop a comprehensive and country-wide strategic framework for public administration reform and a public financial management programme;

· there are insufficient mechanisms for cooperation between government and civil society organisations (CSOs), including their limited capacity to participate in policy dialogue on the Reform Agenda;

· the legal and institutional framework for the observance of human rights requires substantial improvements, and the authorities must develop of a country-wide anti-discrimination strategy in cooperation with CSOs.

Members were also concerned about backsliding in the area of freedom of expression , cases of political pressure on and intimidation of journalists, and the continued polarisation of the media along political and ethnic lines.

Judiciary: Parliament was concerned about increased pressure on the judiciary by political actors and particularly about cases of political interference in court proceedings , the politicisation of appointment procedures in the judiciary, the continued fragmentation into four different legal systems and the lack of an effective system for assessing the professional qualities of judges. It stressed the urgent need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary in BiH, welcoming the updated 2014-2018 Justice Sector Reform Strategy and called for an action plan for its implementation. Members also remained concerned that access to free legal aid is very limited.

Referendum on the BiH State-level judiciary: Members took note of the announcement by the President of the Republika Srpska (RS) to postpone the planned referendum in the RS on the BiH State-level judiciary. They regretted, however, that the RS National Assembly has not passed this decision. Furthermore, they called for this idea of a referendum to be dropped altogether , as it challenges the cohesion, sovereignty and integrity of the country and risks further progress towards EU integration. Any shortcomings in the BiH judiciary should be addressed within the broadened Structured Dialogue on Justice, rather than through unilateral initiatives, Parliament added that it was deeply concerned about statements made by the Interior Minister of the Republika Srpska about the future training of RS special police units in the Russian Federation , and the intention to buy Russian military equipment.

Fight against corruption: Parliament deplored the fact that corruption continues to be widespread and that political commitments have not translated into concrete results. It remained concerned about the weak legal and institutional framework to combat corruption, and about the low number of final convictions in corruption cases. Commending the adoption of the 2015-2019 anti-corruption strategy and action plan, it urged the allocation of a sufficient budget for implementation.

Organised crime: Members noted the uncoordinated implementation of the 2014-2016 strategy on combating organised crime, and welcomed the adoption of the 2016-2019 Action Plan for Fighting Human Trafficking in BiH, including its emphasis on problems related to migrant workers and the forced begging of children. They urged the adoption and implementation of a new strategy and action plan on money laundering, and more to combat the uncontrolled proliferation and illicit trafficking of weapons, notably small and light weapons.

Radicalisation and terrorism: stressing that BiH has been seriously affected by the phenomenon of foreign fighters and radicalization, especially among young people, a high number of whom – compared to other countries in the region – have joined Daesh, Parliament called for the urgent development of effective de-radicalisation programmes and for urgent efforts to provide a better economic perspective for young people in BiH.

Economic development: Members welcomed the rise in registered employment, as well as the first steps taken to strengthen policy coordination and to improve the business climate> However, they remained concerned about state influence on the economy, the quality of public finances, the high degree of dependence on funding from international loan investment, the unclear origin of international investment and the difficult labour market conditions.

Regional cooperation: Parliament commended BiH’s constructive role in promoting regional cooperation, welcoming the border agreement with Montenegro. It called for further efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including on border demarcation matters with Serbia and Croatia, and also welcomed the first joint session of the BiH Council of Ministers with the Serbian Government that took place on 4 November 2015 in Sarajevo.

Lastly, Members noted that while post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction in BiH has been largely successful and has brought the country closer towards the EU, challenges still remain concerning the sustainability of the reconciliation process. They stressed, therefore, the importance of education on reconciliation and mutual understanding in society.

Documents
2016/04/14
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2016/04/13
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2016/04/06
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2016/03/02
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2015/10/12
   CSL - Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council
2015/10/12
   CSL - Council Meeting
2015/10/08
   EP - PREDA Cristian Dan (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in AFET

Documents

Activities

Votes

B8-0441/2016 - § 1 #

2016/04/14 Outcome: +: 423, -: 56, 0: 27
DE PL RO IT FR GB ES BE CZ HU BG SE SK HR LT FI PT LV DK AT SI LU EE NL MT IE EL
Total
68
36
26
34
58
39
29
19
19
16
13
13
11
10
9
10
11
7
7
15
7
6
4
23
4
7
4
icon: PPE PPE
142
2

Finland PPE

1

Portugal PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Ireland PPE

2

Greece PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
128
3
3

Sweden S&D

2

Croatia S&D

2

Latvia S&D

1

Denmark S&D

2

Austria S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

3

Malta S&D

2

Greece S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
61

Romania ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
48

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Italy ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1
2

Denmark ECR

1

Netherlands ECR

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
40

France Verts/ALE

4

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
icon: NI NI
8

Germany NI

2

France NI

Against (1)

2

Greece NI

Against (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
34

Germany GUE/NGL

Against (1)

5

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3
4

Greece GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
14

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
30

Poland ENF

2

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

B8-0441/2016 - § 2 #

2016/04/14 Outcome: +: 406, -: 67, 0: 30
DE PL RO IT GB ES BE CZ BG SK PT SE FI HU FR LT HR LV AT SI LU DK EE NL IE MT EL
Total
68
36
26
34
38
27
19
17
13
11
12
13
11
16
59
9
9
7
15
7
6
8
4
23
7
3
4
icon: PPE PPE
138

Portugal PPE

2

Finland PPE

1
2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Ireland PPE

2

Greece PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
127
3

Sweden S&D

2
3

Croatia S&D

2

Latvia S&D

1

Austria S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Denmark S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

3

Malta S&D

For (1)

1

Greece S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Romania ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
49

Germany ECR

For (1)

4

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Italy ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

1
2

Denmark ECR

Against (1)

2

Netherlands ECR

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
39

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

France Verts/ALE

4

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
34

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

2

Sweden GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

France GUE/NGL

For (1)

4

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

3
4

Greece GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1
icon: NI NI
8

Germany NI

Against (1)

2
3

France NI

Against (1)

2

Greece NI

Against (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
14

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

Against (1)

1

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
31

Poland ENF

2

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

B8-0441/2016 - § 7/2 #

2016/04/14 Outcome: +: 427, -: 71, 0: 10
DE PL RO IT FR GB BE BG CZ ES HU SE SK PT HR FI NL DK LT AT SI LU LV EE MT EL IE
Total
69
37
26
34
58
38
20
13
19
28
15
13
11
12
10
11
23
8
9
15
7
6
6
4
4
4
7
icon: PPE PPE
141

Portugal PPE

2

Finland PPE

1

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Greece PPE

1

Ireland PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
128
3
3

Sweden S&D

2

Croatia S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

3

Denmark S&D

2

Austria S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

2

Greece S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
62

Romania ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Estonia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
49

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Italy ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

1

Czechia ECR

2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1
2

Netherlands ECR

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
41

France Verts/ALE

4

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1
icon: NI NI
7

Germany NI

2

France NI

Against (1)

2

Hungary NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Greece NI

Against (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
14

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

Against (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania EFDD

Against (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
34

Italy GUE/NGL

Against (1)

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Finland GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Greece GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
4
icon: ENF ENF
31

Poland ENF

2

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

B8-0441/2016 - § 26/2 #

2016/04/14 Outcome: +: 271, -: 201, 0: 27
PL CZ HR BG BE FR DK AT HU LT FI EE SI LU SK LV DE RO MT SE IE NL EL PT ES IT GB
Total
36
18
10
13
20
58
8
14
16
9
11
3
7
6
10
6
68
26
4
13
7
23
4
12
25
33
38
icon: PPE PPE
141

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
2

Finland PPE

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Ireland PPE

2

Greece PPE

1

Portugal PPE

2
icon: ALDE ALDE
61

Croatia ALDE

2

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Romania ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

United Kingdom ALDE

1
icon: ECR ECR
47

Czechia ECR

2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

1
2

Slovakia ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

2

Italy ECR

2
icon: ENF ENF
31
2

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

United Kingdom ENF

Abstain (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
13

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1

Germany EFDD

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
8

France NI

Abstain (1)

2

Germany NI

Against (1)

2

Greece NI

Against (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
32

Czechia GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
4

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3

Greece GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

2

Italy GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
41

Croatia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

France Verts/ALE

4

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

Against (1)

1
4

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
3

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4
icon: S&D S&D
124

Czechia S&D

For (1)

4

Croatia S&D

2

Bulgaria S&D

3

Denmark S&D

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Austria S&D

Against (1)

1

Hungary S&D

3

Lithuania S&D

2

Finland S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

Against (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

Against (1)

1

Latvia S&D

Against (1)

1

Malta S&D

Against (2)

2

Sweden S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

3

Greece S&D

Against (1)

1

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

events/1/docs
  • url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-8-2016-04-13-TOC_EN.html title: Debate in Parliament
committees/0/shadows/3
name
COUSO PERMUY Javier
group
European United Left - Nordic Green Left
abbr
GUE/NGL
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE576.892
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-AM-576892_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0441_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0441_EN.html
events/1/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160413&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
events/3
date
2016-04-14T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0135_EN.html title: T8-0135/2016
summary
events/3
date
2016-04-14T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0135_EN.html title: T8-0135/2016
summary
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
rapporteur
name: PREDA Cristian Dan date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: PREDA Cristian Dan group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0441&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-8-2016-0441_EN.html
docs/2/body
EC
events/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0135
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0135_EN.html
activities
  • date: 2015-10-12T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Foreign Affairs meeting_id: 3416
  • date: 2016-04-13T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160413&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2016-04-14T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0135 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0135/2016 body: EP type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
commission
  • body: EC dg: Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations commissioner: HAHN Johannes
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
committee
AFET
associated
False
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: PREDA Cristian Dan group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
AFET
date
2015-10-08T00:00:00
committee_full
Foreign Affairs
rapporteur
group: EPP name: PREDA Cristian Dan
council
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Foreign Affairs meeting_id: 3416 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3416*&MEET_DATE=12/10/2015 date: 2015-10-12T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2016-03-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE576.892 title: PE576.892 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2016-04-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B8-2016-0441&language=EN title: B8-0441/2016 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
  • date: 2016-09-20T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=27099&j=0&l=en title: SP(2016)484 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2015-10-12T00:00:00 type: Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council body: CSL
  • date: 2016-04-13T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160413&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2016-04-14T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=27099&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-04-14T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0135 title: T8-0135/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the 2015 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It welcomed the first more positive Commission Report on BiH and the submission of the application for EU membership by BiH on 15 February 2016 , and called on the Council to examine this application at the earliest opportunity. In this regard, Members welcomed the adoption by the BiH Council of Ministers (CoM), on 26 January 2016, of a decision establishing a coordination mechanism on EU matters and, on 9 February 2016, of the negotiation position on the adaptation of the Stablisation and Association Agreement (SAA) following the accession of Croatia to the EU. These elements are necessary for the EU to consider the membership application as credible, alongside meaningful progress in the implementation of the Reform Agenda. Reforms: Parliament reiterated the need to continue also with constitutional, legal and political reforms that would transform BiH into a fully effective, inclusive and functional state. The authorities must actively promote the principles of legitimate representation, federalism, decentralisation and subsidiarity, as well as European values and the importance of the European perspective. Members felt that the EU institutions should become actively involved in the efforts to find a sustainable solution to BiH’s constitutional arrangements. They also urged political and religious leaders to refrain from divisive nationalistic and secessionist rhetoric that polarises society and to continue with political dialogue. Parliament wen on to raise the following issues; · the fragmentation of public administration , its politicisation and weak policy coordination hamper institutional and legislative reforms and BiH must develop a comprehensive and country-wide strategic framework for public administration reform and a public financial management programme; · there are insufficient mechanisms for cooperation between government and civil society organisations (CSOs), including their limited capacity to participate in policy dialogue on the Reform Agenda; · the legal and institutional framework for the observance of human rights requires substantial improvements, and the authorities must develop of a country-wide anti-discrimination strategy in cooperation with CSOs. Members were also concerned about backsliding in the area of freedom of expression , cases of political pressure on and intimidation of journalists, and the continued polarisation of the media along political and ethnic lines. Judiciary: Parliament was concerned about increased pressure on the judiciary by political actors and particularly about cases of political interference in court proceedings , the politicisation of appointment procedures in the judiciary, the continued fragmentation into four different legal systems and the lack of an effective system for assessing the professional qualities of judges. It stressed the urgent need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary in BiH, welcoming the updated 2014-2018 Justice Sector Reform Strategy and called for an action plan for its implementation. Members also remained concerned that access to free legal aid is very limited. Referendum on the BiH State-level judiciary: Members took note of the announcement by the President of the Republika Srpska (RS) to postpone the planned referendum in the RS on the BiH State-level judiciary. They regretted, however, that the RS National Assembly has not passed this decision. Furthermore, they called for this idea of a referendum to be dropped altogether , as it challenges the cohesion, sovereignty and integrity of the country and risks further progress towards EU integration. Any shortcomings in the BiH judiciary should be addressed within the broadened Structured Dialogue on Justice, rather than through unilateral initiatives, Parliament added that it was deeply concerned about statements made by the Interior Minister of the Republika Srpska about the future training of RS special police units in the Russian Federation , and the intention to buy Russian military equipment. Fight against corruption: Parliament deplored the fact that corruption continues to be widespread and that political commitments have not translated into concrete results. It remained concerned about the weak legal and institutional framework to combat corruption, and about the low number of final convictions in corruption cases. Commending the adoption of the 2015-2019 anti-corruption strategy and action plan, it urged the allocation of a sufficient budget for implementation. Organised crime: Members noted the uncoordinated implementation of the 2014-2016 strategy on combating organised crime, and welcomed the adoption of the 2016-2019 Action Plan for Fighting Human Trafficking in BiH, including its emphasis on problems related to migrant workers and the forced begging of children. They urged the adoption and implementation of a new strategy and action plan on money laundering, and more to combat the uncontrolled proliferation and illicit trafficking of weapons, notably small and light weapons. Radicalisation and terrorism: stressing that BiH has been seriously affected by the phenomenon of foreign fighters and radicalization, especially among young people, a high number of whom – compared to other countries in the region – have joined Daesh, Parliament called for the urgent development of effective de-radicalisation programmes and for urgent efforts to provide a better economic perspective for young people in BiH. Economic development: Members welcomed the rise in registered employment, as well as the first steps taken to strengthen policy coordination and to improve the business climate> However, they remained concerned about state influence on the economy, the quality of public finances, the high degree of dependence on funding from international loan investment, the unclear origin of international investment and the difficult labour market conditions. Regional cooperation: Parliament commended BiH’s constructive role in promoting regional cooperation, welcoming the border agreement with Montenegro. It called for further efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including on border demarcation matters with Serbia and Croatia, and also welcomed the first joint session of the BiH Council of Ministers with the Serbian Government that took place on 4 November 2015 in Sarajevo. Lastly, Members noted that while post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction in BiH has been largely successful and has brought the country closer towards the EU, challenges still remain concerning the sustainability of the reconciliation process. They stressed, therefore, the importance of education on reconciliation and mutual understanding in society.
  • date: 2016-04-14T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
AFET/8/04682
New
  • AFET/8/04682
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 132-p2
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
procedure/subject
Old
  • 8.20 Enlargement of the Union
New
8.20
Enlargement of the Union
procedure/subtype
Old
Resolution on statements
New
Resolution on statement
activities/1/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20160413&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament
activities/2/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0135 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0135/2016
activities/2/type
Old
Vote in plenary scheduled
New
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
New
Procedure completed
procedure/title
Old
2015 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
New
Resolution on the 2015 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
activities/1/type
Old
Debate in plenary scheduled
New
Debate in Parliament
activities/2
date
2016-04-14T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Vote in plenary scheduled
activities
  • date: 2015-10-12T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Foreign Affairs meeting_id: 3416
  • date: 2016-04-13T00:00:00 body: EP type: Debate in plenary scheduled
committees
  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: KHAN Afzal group: ECR name: DZHAMBAZKI Angel group: ALDE name: RADOŠ Jozo group: GUE/NGL name: COUSO PERMUY Javier group: Verts/ALE name: ŠOLTES Igor responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2015-10-08T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: PREDA Cristian Dan
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure
dossier_of_the_committee
AFET/8/04682
geographical_area
Bosnia and Herzegovina
reference
2015/2897(RSP)
title
2015 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
legal_basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
stage_reached
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
subtype
Resolution on statements
type
RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects
subject
8.20 Enlargement of the Union