Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
The relevance of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a partner country derives from its geographical location in South Eastern Europe, making it a neighbour of the EU, and its aspirations to join the EU. In addition BiH’s relevance to the EU’s foreign policy stems in large part from its potential candidacy for EU membership, which was brought one step closer by the Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003, the SAA signed on 16 June 2008, and the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related issues, which entered into force on 1 July 2008. Influenced by the Interim Agreement, exports between the EU and BiH were accorded trade preferences and subsequently increased.
BiH did not request assistance in its report (submitted in 2004 and 2006) to the UNSCR 1540 Committee. However, it is building a number of ties with the EU through various other agreements and programmes. Another important indicator of the country’s willingness to receive assistance is its acceptance of the WMD clause which was signed in June 2008 as part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
Overall, BiH has had a long and intensive relationship with the EU since its independence in 1992 and particularly since 1995 – the post-war area.
