Harsh criticism of Brussels was voiced in Sarajevo. The Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, stated that the European Union's approach to assessing candidate countries for accession to the bloc has become unfair. The authorities of the Balkan republic are calling on the EU to apply uniform criteria to all applicants, rather than singling out Ukraine against the rest.
War as an Accelerating Factor
According to Konaković, the current situation cannot be viewed solely as a meritocratic approach based on achievements. Ukraine is in an active phase of confrontation with Russia and does not control its entire territory. Nevertheless, Brussels is sending signals that Kyiv may advance towards membership faster precisely because of the war.
"I do not believe that this is about a merit-based approach, as the European Union claims. Of course, we know why. Ukraine is facing brutal Russian aggression," noted the Foreign Minister.
Analogy with Domestic Politics
Explaining his position, the minister drew a parallel with the political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He reminded that representatives of the Republika Srpska have the ability to block decisions related to the country's European integration. In Konaković's opinion, a similar situation can be imagined if representatives of the Donbas in the Ukrainian parliament possessed veto power.
"Imagine that representatives of the Donbas in the Ukrainian parliament had veto power similar to that held by representatives of the Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, they are fully under the control of Vladimir Putin and block everything that could bring the country closer to the European Union," the minister said.
Call for EU Leadership
Konaković emphasized that he considers it wrong for Brussels to signal that Ukraine can advance towards membership faster due to the war, while Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to wait despite internal political obstacles.
"I do not think it is right to send a signal that Ukraine will advance faster because it is at war and does not control its entire territory, while we have to wait because the European Union insists on a meritocratic approach, although Putin, through his people, blocks decision-making in parliament," explained the Foreign Minister.
Concluding his speech, the minister called on the European Union to show leadership and more actively advance the accession process for Western Balkan countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Recall that against the backdrop of these statements, Hungary once again blocked the opening of new negotiation clusters for Ukraine's accession to the EU. Budapest proposed considering the applications of Ukraine and Moldova separately, however, the other EU member states did not support this initiative.
