Germany's Merkel pushes Bosnia to implement EU reforms

BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s membership in the EU, urging the county to continue with its reforms.

Addressing a joint press conference with members of tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Merkel hailed recent reforms made by the Balkan country to join the EU.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved great progress in recent months, particularly by realizing socio-economic reforms,” Merkel said.

She also praised steps taken by the government towards more transparency, and urged the government to focus on implementation of reforms.

Former Yugoslav republic has officially applied for EU membership in February this year, and is seeking to get a “candidate country” status to begin membership negotiations.

Merkel underlined that successful implementation of reforms were key for a positive decision EU member states to bring this process forward.

“Germany wants to be as helpful as possible,” she said.

Britain’s decision to leave the EU has sparked fears across Balkan countries on the future of the EU’s enlargement process.

After Croatia’s accession in 2013, six more Balkan states are waiting for a similar fate. Currently only Montenegro, Serbia and Albania have EU candidate country status while Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are regarded as potential candidates.