Bosnia and Herzegovina Set For European Union 'Candidate Status'

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Image copyright: AFP [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

  • The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) agreed on Tuesday to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status to the bloc, a recommendation which will require endorsement by European leaders in the European Council summit on Thursday.

  • This comes as the GAC found that Sarajevo took the steps required by the Commission in October, considering it a matter of urgency that the Balkan country advances on its EU path given, "the current geopolitical context."

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Opening the path for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a member state is a historic breakthrough in EU enlargement policy, which will benefit Bosnian citizens and promote political stability in the Western Balkans. As Moscow has stepped up propaganda in the region, the EU must speed up its enlargement process to protect the unity of Europe.

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Narrative B

Granting Bosnia and Herzegovina EU candidate status is a geopolitical move, but above all, it's a mistake that will damage the bloc's reputation, as the country is unlikely to be able to assume the responsibilities of an eventual membership. EU enlargement policy should serve, not to appease with corrupt politicians, but rather to push for democracy and rule of law.

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