By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to EU enlargement and closer bilateral ties, stressing that the Balkan country’s future lies within the bloc if key reforms are delivered.
In a joint op-ed posted on the Swedish Foreign Ministry website, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and her Bosnian counterpart Elmedin Konakovic marked more than 30 years of bilateral relations, coinciding with the anniversaries of Sweden’s EU membership and the signing of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The two said their countries share a history of solidarity, citing Sweden’s role in supporting peace efforts and hosting thousands of Bosnian refugees during the 1990s war.
They said Swedes of Bosnian origin are now among the most successfully integrated communities in Swedish society, strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two countries.
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in 2016, was granted candidate status in December 2022, and received a recommendation from the European Commission two years later to open accession negotiations.
The foreign ministers said these steps confirm that the country’s future is in the EU, despite internal political challenges that risk undermining the constitutional order established by the Dayton agreement.
They outlined three priorities to advance the accession process: accelerating reforms, boosting regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, and mobilizing support for enlargement within the EU.
According to the statement, Bosnia and Herzegovina must deliver on fundamental reforms, including strengthening the judiciary, the rule of law and human rights, fighting corruption, and ensuring media freedom. These measures, they said, are essential for EU integration, restoring public trust, and attracting investment.
The top diplomats also called for stronger regional dialogue and good neighborly relations, arguing that enhanced cooperation would increase stability, resilience, and prosperity across the Western Balkans.