Key facts
- Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU ambassador, Obrad Kesić, stated that cutting funding for struggling EU candidate countries is the wrong approach.
- The European Commission was reportedly set to redirect funding from Western Balkan candidates that failed to deliver reforms.
- Kesić warned that such a move could fuel anti-EU sentiment and turn the accession process into a competition.
- He highlighted that the decision could negatively impact upcoming October elections by providing arguments to anti-EU forces.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to be a significant loser from the potential reallocation of the €6 billion fund.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Ambassador to the EU, Obrad Kesić, has criticized the European Commission's reported plan to reallocate funding from struggling Western Balkan candidate countries to those performing better. Kesić argued that support, not punishment, is crucial for countries undertaking reforms, likening the situation to a teacher's approach to struggling students. He warned that such a move could undermine the accession process, turn it into a competition, and fuel anti-EU sentiment, particularly ahead of upcoming October elections. Kesić acknowledged domestic challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including coalition government collapse and constitutional crises, but stressed that reallocating funds would not be an effective motivator. He noted that recent visits by European Council President António Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated continued EU interest, but cautioned against sending the wrong political signal. Sarajevo hopes the reallocation of the €6 billion fund, from which Bosnia and Herzegovina stands to lose just under €1 billion, will be less severe than initially suggested, with options like redirecting unspent money towards technical assistance being considered.