From Thessalonica to Brussels
Reform progress of BiH towards EU
accession
Twinning Project
between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany
„Support to State Veterinary Office“
Workshop hold on 31.05.2007 at Sarajevo
Structure of Presentation
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Accession
Thessaloniki Summit
European Partnerships
Stabilisation and Accossiation Process
European Partnership with BIH 2004
European Partnership with BIH 2006
Progress Report of the European
Commission 2005
• Progress Report of the European
Commission 2006
Accession
All the countries of the Western Balkans
have the prospect of future membership
of the European Union
• June 2000 Feira
• June 2003 Thessaloniki
• June 2005 re-confirmation
Thessaloniki Summit
• June 2003
• Backround: Commission
Communication on “The Western
Balkans and European Integration”
• Strengthening the Stabilisation and
Association Process
• Intended new Partnerships
European Partnerships
The partnership between the EU and the
Western Balkans is in the interest of all
partners:

peace,

stability,

freedom,

security

justice,

prosperity,

quality of life
for the EU and the Western Balkan countries.
Stabilisation and Association
Process
The SAP pursues three aims:

the stabilisation and a swift transition to a
market economy,

the promotion of regional cooperation and

the prospect of EU accession.
It helps the countries of the region to build their
capacity to adopt and implement European
standards, including Community acquis, as
well as international standards.
Stabilisation and Association
Process
The SAP is based on a progressive partnership,
in which the EU offers a mixture of:

trade concessions (Autonomos Trade
Measures),

economic and financial assistance
(CARDS Programme) and

contractual relationships (Stabilisation and
Association Agreements).
Stabilisation and Association
Process
Each country moves forward on the basis
of the fulfilment of its commitments in
the framework of the SAP.
Annual Progress Reports assess the
readiness of the Western Balkan
countries to move closer to the
European Union.
2004/515/EC: Council Decision of 14 June 2004 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A first European partnership with Bosnia
and Herzegovina in 2004
It was expected that BiH will adopt a plan
including a timetable and details in
terms of how they intend to address the
European Partnership priorities.
2004/515/EC: Council Decision of 14 June 2004 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A distinction is made between
• short term priorities, which are expected
to be accomplished within one or two
years, and
• medium term priorities, which are
expected to be accomplished within
three to four years.
2004/515/EC: Council Decision of 14 June 2004 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Example of short term priorities in the veterinary
section:

Establish at State level certification and
other procedures for the export of animal
products
Example of medium term priorities in the
veterinary section:

Further develop the capacity of the
State Veterinary Office
2006/55/EC: Council Decision of 30 January 2006 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC
• A second European partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006
2006/55/EC: Council Decision of 30 January 2006 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC
It was appropriate to update this
Partnership in order to identify renewed
priorities for further work, on the basis of
the findings of the 2005 Progress
Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina's
preparations for further integration with
the European Union.
2006/55/EC: Council Decision of 30 January 2006 on
the principles, priorities and conditions contained in
the European Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC
The new priorities are adapted to
• the country's specific needs and
• stage of preparation
• will be updated as necessary.
The European Partnership also provides
guidance for financial assistance to the
country.
2006/55/EC: Council Decision of 30 January 2006 on the
principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European
Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC
Example of short term priorities in the veterinary
section:
 
Continue with the alignment of legislation on the
EU veterinary acquis.
 
Establish and make operational the State Food
Safety Agency.
 
Enhance laboratories and inspection capacity in
the veterinary and phytosanitary sectors, establish a
reference laboratory and develop sampling procedures
in conformity to EU requirements.
 
Complete the EU-conform animal identification and
registration of bovines.
2006/55/EC: Council Decision of 30 January 2006 on the
principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European
Partnership with
Bosnia and Herzegovina
and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC
Example of medium term priorities in the
veterinary section:
 
Start action in view of identification
of sheep and goats and registration of
their movements.
• Prepare a programme for upgrading
food processing establishments to meet
EU requirements.
2005 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Positive Developments
• A Veterinary Office has been established.
• Decision to put veterinary border inspection
under State-level authority.
• The State Veterinary Office was made
formally responsible for issuing veterinary
certificates.
• The National Veterinary Council was
established early 2005.
.
2005 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Positive Developments
• In June 2005, an amended Decision on the
Veterinary Certificate on the Health of
Animals and Shipments products of animal
origin came into force. This decision has
helped remove barriers regarding the
certification of products of animal origin.
• Develope of export certificates, which are
generally in line with the acquis.
• A new food safety law has been adopted that
provides for the establishment of a food
safety agency. The agency had not been
established in 2005.
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Positive Developments
• The State Veterinary Office has increasingly
taken the role of the competent authority in
the veterinary sector.
• It has initiated the implementation of the
Veterinary Law by preparing the necessary
implementing legislation.
• A first "Residue Monitoring Plan" has been
prepared.
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Positive Developments
• "National system for control and reporting of
infectious diseases"
• "Decision on the conditions to be fulfilled by
the facilities for slaughtering animals,
treatment, processing and storing of products
of animal origin“
• "Operators’ Manual" for border veterinary
inspection
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Positive Developments
• Appropriate measures were taken as a
response to an outbreak of avian
influenza and other contagious diseases
in the region.
• A decision on establishment of official
and reference laboratories was adopted
in order to comply with EU standards.
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
But overall, limited progress has been made in
the field of agriculture.
• The development of a comprehensive
agricultural strategy is delayed
• Policy making remains at Entity level
• In the absence of constitutional changes, the
creation of the State-level Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
depends on the Entities' political will.
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
• Food safety responsibility is shared between
the State level and the Entity level
authorities,.
• The recently established Food Safety Agency
of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FSA) needs to
be better equipped in human resources.
• Co-operation and co-ordination between the
State and the Entities needs to be improved
further to ensure proper implementation of
legislation
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
• Limited progress has been made as regards
border veterinary inspection posts.
• Actual establishment of the reference
laboratories is ongoing. Only one food and feed
testing laboratory is accredited by the Bosnian
Accreditation Body (BATA).
• The implementation of the Animal Identification
and Movement Control Scheme has been
jeopardised by the unregulated supply of ear
marks for cattle.
• Preparations for the identification and registration
of sheep and goats have not started.
2006 Progress Report
of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Conclusion of the European Commission:
• Preparations in the veterinary area have
been launched, but need to be
accelerate.
Thank you for your attention