European Union members should open talks with Bosnia on joining, the EU’s executive branch says
PBS NewsHourMAR 1 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina: EU Leaders Approve Membership Talks
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The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This decision is another milestone in the history of successive EU enlargements. With the opening of negotiations, Sarajevo is reaping the fruits of its impressive reform steps and progress in adopting important legislation, while the decision will further boost Bosnia's commitment to implementing further criteria for EU membership. The bloc continues to inspire, and its expansion ensures that it will remain a unique success model for promoting democracy, freedom and prosperity in a rapidly changing world.
Establishment-critical narrative
Following the opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, Thursday's decision is a further step that threatens to discredit the entire accession process, as Bosnia is also far from having achieved the necessary reform targets. The EU is in danger of turning to geopolitically motivated enlargement instead of maintaining clear economic and political admission criteria. However, size is not synonymous with stability and strength, and the bloc should rethink its standards and reflect on how it defines itself.