With such a result, BiH has in effect passed the major hurdle towards becoming a full member of the EU. Despite the conclusion that reforms, not only has to continue, but must be conducted at a higher pace from now on and until they are supposed to finish, by the end of 2004, the feasibility study also concludes that BiH is ready to enter into the final stages of negotiations. If these succeed, their conclusion is the inclusion of BiH to the EU.
The areas identified by the study in which there is not only room, but also an acute need for improvement, are the oversized bureaucracy, the ease with which organised crime is currently committed, the human rights record and the establishment of an open, investment-friendly economic environment. The taxation system, the army and the country´s public service broadcast are also in for massive reshuffles. Finally, the Republic of Srpska must cooperate better with the International War Crimes´ Tribunal in the Hague.”In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a strong political will and no reason why the state could not achieve these goals” said Chris Patten, Commissar for Foreign Affairs to the daily Nezavisne Novine.
In BiH, there is relief that the country is now being seen as a serious candidate for EU membership. Local political analysts, among them Aida Samardzic of the Sarajevo Human Rights House, consider this an enormous progress for the country. -While the results from the Bruxelles meeting are affirmative, Samardzic emphasizes that the responsibility for the final success depends on Bosnia and Herzegovina`s authorities and other domestic politicians .
