As one leaves, another is in the process of joining…
The European Union has announced that it has accepted an initial application from Bosnia to join the EU, starting what will be a long process which may culminate in Bosnia entry into the bloc.
The news comes just months after Britain’s high profile decision to leave the EU following the Brexit referendum, a move which has cast doubts on Ireland’s future trade relationship with our nearest neighbour.
The EU have asked the European Commission to assess the readiness of Bosnia for entry into the union, a process which will take a year.
Although the EU have accepted Bosnia’s initial application, it has called on them to continue with their “socio-economic reforms (and) reforms in the area of rule of law and public administration.”
There’s also the ongoing issue of the implementation of of a 2009 European Court of Human Rights that ordered Bosnia to allow ethnic minorities run for high office. Bosnia have yet to implement this ruling according to Reuters.
Potential entry into the EU would mean an initiation into the Common Travel Area and the Single Market.
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