European Council President Charles Michel (R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attend a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
BRUSSELS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the European Union (EU) on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"The European Council has just decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina," European Council President Charles Michel said on the social media platform X as EU leaders are convening a summit in Brussels.
"Today's decision is a key step forward on your EU path," Michel said while extending congratulations to the country situated in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also hailed the EU leaders' decision as "historic," noting Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress in enacting crucial legislation, managing migration and fostering dialogue and reconciliation.
Bosnia applied for EU membership in 2016 and officially attained the candidate status in December 2022. ■
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
European Council President Charles Michel speaks at a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
European Council President Charles Michel attends a press conference during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 21, 2024. Leaders from the EU on Thursday agreed to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
