European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made “remarkable progress” on its journey toward European Union (EU) membership and now “stands at the doorstep of the European family.”

Speaking at a joint press conference with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo in Sarajevo, von der Leyen praised Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Reform Agenda, which she described as “a product of genuine cooperation among institutions at all levels.”

She emphasized that the next few months will be critical for Sarajevo to finalize and ratify the remaining agreements necessary to access EU development funds under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which could bring the country up to one billion euros in investment over the next four years.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving forward decisively. You are closer than ever before to becoming a full member of our European family,” von der Leyen said, adding that “this progress must now be consolidated through reforms in the judiciary, public administration, and the rule of law.”

Von der Leyen called for the swift adoption of long-awaited judicial and anti-corruption reforms, which she said are essential for opening the first intergovernmental conference—a key procedural milestone that would mark the start of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s formal accession negotiations.

She also urged the country’s political leadership to appoint a chief negotiator and establish a negotiation team to coordinate the accession process with Brussels.

According to EU officials, the European Commission could propose opening negotiations as early as March 2026, provided that Bosnia meets the remaining benchmarks outlined in last year’s enlargement report.

Von der Leyen noted that public confidence in the EU remains strong in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 72 percent of citizens expressing trust in the bloc and nearly two-thirds of young people supporting enlargement, citing these figures as “a clear mandate for unity, stability, and a European future.”

“This is the strongest message we can receive — that young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina see their future as part of a democratic and prosperous Europe,” she said.

Her visit comes amid renewed EU engagement in the Western Balkans, following the European Council’s December 2024 decision to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status after years of delay. The EU has since stepped up technical assistance and economic cooperation in sectors including energy transition, infrastructure modernization, and green technology.

Von der Leyen’s Sarajevo stop is part of a wider regional tour that also includes North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia, as Brussels pushes for deeper integration of the Western Balkans amid growing geopolitical competition in the region.

Bosnian Chairwoman Borjana Kristo thanked the EU for its continued support, saying that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to fulfilling its obligations.

“Our European path is irreversible. We are determined to implement all reforms necessary for the benefit of our citizens and the stability of the region,” Kristo said.

The EU delegation in Sarajevo confirmed that technical talks on the first tranche of Growth Plan funds are scheduled to begin later this month, focusing on transport connectivity and digital infrastructure upgrades.

If progress continues at the current pace, Bosnia and Herzegovina could formally begin EU accession negotiations by late 2026, marking its most significant step toward membership since the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement in 2008. (ILKHA)