A review of challenges in the process of European integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A review of challenges in the process of European integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes specific aspects of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the European Union (EU) following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, with a particular focus on the length of this process and the obstacles encountered. The paper indicates that the constant generation of crises and the unconstitutional actions of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in BiH have impeded the European integration process. Special attention is paid to the protracted nature of the process, which has negatively affected public opinion in both BiH entities—Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. A survey conducted for this paper confirms a high overall level of support for EU accession. Nevertheless, a significant difference was observed between the entities: respondents from the Federation of BiH showed greater enthusiasm compared to those from Republika Srpska. Respondents place their greatest hopes in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law. Support for NATO membership is lower, and the perception of Russia as a positive security factor is markedly low. The paper also covers a broader context, positioning BiH within the framework of the artificially coined term, the “Western Balkans.” It shows that, despite positive progress reports, the path to full EU membership remains uncertain. The final goal is for all the collected data to assist the authors in drawing conclusions about the fate of BiH’s European path.

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