Obrad Kesić, Bosnia and Herzegovina's ambassador to the European Union, has cautioned that penalising candidate countries for slow reform progress is a misguided strategy. Speaking to Euronews, Kesić argued that the European Commission's plan to redirect funding from underperforming Western Balkan states to better-performing ones would send the wrong political signal and risk undermining the accession process.
Last week, Euronews reported that the Commission intends to reallocate a portion of a €6 billion fund away from countries that have failed to deliver on agreed reforms. Bosnia and Herzegovina stands to lose the most, with nearly €1 billion at stake. The ambassador compared the situation to struggling students: 'If students are struggling, punishment is not the best method to get them back on track.'
Timing and Political Risks
The decision comes at a particularly sensitive moment. Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to hold general elections in October, and Kesić warned that the funding cut could become a major political issue. 'We know that is not the intent, but this decision would inevitably impact the democratic process and influence the elections,' he said, adding that it would hand strong arguments to anti-EU forces.
Kesić acknowledged that domestic political dysfunction—including the collapse of the coalition government and a constitutional crisis—has hampered progress. 'All decision-makers in Sarajevo are aware of their responsibility for the lack of progress on agreed reforms,' he said. 'We are aware that we have not done our homework, but reallocating funding would not be the best motivator.'
Recent visits by European Council President António Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas have demonstrated that Brussels remains engaged with the region. However, Kesić argued that withdrawing funds could undermine the close cooperation that Western Balkan countries have built in recent years. For example, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia coordinated closely earlier this year to resolve the issue of truck drivers stranded at the EU border during the rollout of the new Entry/Exit system.
Uncertainty Over Enlargement Reform
The ambassador also pointed to a growing lack of confidence in the accession process, driven by EU member states floating new ideas for reform. A Franco-German proposal for 'gradual integration' has created uncertainty, as it could change the rules for countries already in the queue. Similarly, Brussels's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans has overshadowed the earlier Berlin Process, adding to the sense of unpredictability.
Sarajevo has not yet been formally informed of the Commission's decision. Kesić expressed hope that the reallocation would be more modest than the full amount suggests. The broader context includes ongoing debates within the EU about how to handle enlargement, with some member states pushing for a more flexible approach. For instance, EU ambassadors recently unlocked the first cluster of accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova, signalling a willingness to advance with motivated candidates.
Kesić's warning echoes concerns raised by other diplomats in the region. The risk is that punitive measures could turn the accession process into a competition, rather than a collaborative effort to bring the Western Balkans closer to European standards. As the October elections approach, the EU's approach to Bosnia and Herzegovina will be closely watched—not just in Sarajevo, but across the continent.
