C 214/46
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
16.6.2023
Wednesday 18 January 2023
117.
Emphasises the urgent need for the EU-led Prishtina-Belgrade dialogue process to be intensified with the objective of normalising bilateral relations on the basis of mutual recognition; denounces the continuous pattern of escalatory actions by Serbia and Serbian-sponsored actors, including through illegitimate blockades, violent attacks and the threat of military action, with the objective of forcing concessions and undermining the Republic of Kosovo; recalls its position that the independence of the Republic of Kosovo is irreversible and reiterates its call on the five Member States that have not yet done so to recognise Kosovo’s independence with immediate effect;
118.
Welcomes the European Council’s decision to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 December 2022 on the understanding that a number of steps are taken to strengthen the country’s readiness for accession negotiations; urges the country’s political actors to show commitment and take significant steps towards EU membership by advancing on the eight steps in the Commission recommendation, by significantly making progress on the 14 key priorities and implementing the substantial set of reforms, including electoral reforms in accordance with the decisions of domestic and international courts in order to ensure the principles of equality and non-discrimination for all citizens and constituent peoples as enshrined in its constitution and in full respect of the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the Sejdić and Finci v.
Bosnia and Herzegovina case of 22 December 2009; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in swiftly implementing the key priorities and in preventing backsliding into nationalistic policies of the past; reiterates the need to ensure that every citizen’s rights, regardless of the ethnic, political and religious affiliation, are fully respected in line with ECHR rulings, Constitutional Court decisions and Venice Commission recommendations;
119.
Denounces the ongoing secessionist rhetoric and activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the celebration by Bosnian state and third-country actors of national holidays proclaimed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina; reiterates its call for the adoption of targeted sanctions against destabilising actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those threatening its sovereignty and territorial integrity, notably Milorad Dodik, as well as other high-ranking officials of Republika Srpska and third-country officials providing political and material support for secessionist policies; calls on all Member States to ensure that such sanctions can be adopted by the Council;
120.
Commends the work of European Union Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea and welcomes the extension of its mandate beyond November 2022; recalls that this mission still plays a pivotal role for the security and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and calls on the EU and its international partners to increase its capacity;
121.
Notes that the Council acknowledged in the Strategic Compass that security and stability throughout the Western Balkans is still not a given and that there is a risk of potential spillover from the current deterioration of the European security situation; recalls that the Strategic Compass calls for support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
122.
Expresses concern over the timing, content and manner of introduction of changes to the election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which were proposed on election day by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which risk undermining democratic legitimacy and consolidating ethno-nationalism;
123.
Stresses the need for candidate and prospective candidate countries of the Western Balkans to fully align their policies to the EU’s CSFP and calls on the Commission and Member States to use the CSFP as a tool to enhance cooperation with Western Balkan countries; stresses that countries wishing to join the EU must fully align with fundamental values and common policies in light of Russia’s illegal war of aggression; emphasises that human rights and human dignity are non-negotiable and that therefore candidate countries must mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities, the LGBTI+ community, women and girls, and other vulnerable groups across all sectors and policies; calls for closer collaboration between the EU and candidate and potential candidate states on security and defence;
124.
Remains deeply concerned about reports that the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement deliberately seeks to circumvent and undermine the centrality of democratic and rule of law reforms in EU accession countries; urges the Commission to inititate an independent and impartial investigation into whether the conduct engaged in and policies furthered by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission and of the Commissioner’s obligations under the Treaties;