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GRECO: Publication of 2 compliance reports (3rd and 4th evaluation rounds) on Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Date: 23 JANUARY 2025
- serbia ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the manipulation of Sports Competitions (CETS No. 215) and the Council of Europe Convention on an integrated Safety,Security and Service approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (CETS No. 218).
- Date: 17 JANUARY 2025
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Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosnie-Herzégovine - group of States against Corruption (GRECO)
- Status: public
- Version: Compliance Report GRECO RC-I/II or II
- Topics: National Anti-Corruption Authorities, European and International organisations, Non-governmental organisations
Second interim compliance report on prevention of corruption of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors
- Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Source: CoE-GRECO – council of Europe - Group of States Against Corruption
- Note: The 2022 enlargement report flagged corruption as a widespread issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling for immediate action to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
- Corruption Perceptions Index: According to Transparency International, Bosnia and Herzegovina has struggled wiht deteriorating public trust in institutions.
- EU Accession Process: The compliance report comes at a critical time for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is seeking to advance its European Union accession process. In March 2024, EU leaders conditionally approved the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, contingent upon further progress in key governance reforms, including measures to combat corruption.
- Urgency of Reforms: The report underscores the urgency of these reforms, noting that without considerable progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina risks continued international scrutiny and potential setbacks in its EU integration efforts.
For more detailed data, you can refer to the provided URLs:
- GRECO Publication of 2 Compliance Reports
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - GRECO Evaluations
- CoE-GRECO – Bosnia and Herzegovina Report 2022
GRECO Report Highlights Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Challenge in Tackling Corruption
Table of Contents
The Council of Europe’s Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) has recently published two compliance reports focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts in preventing corruption within its parliament, judiciary, and prosecutorial bodies. These reports come at a crucial time as Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks too advance its european Union accession process. Our guest today,Dr. Svetlana Petrovic, a leading expert on anti-corruption measures in Southeastern Europe, will shed light on these reports, their implications for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the broader context of the country’s fight against corruption.
The Context of GRECO’s Evaluation
Senior Editor: Dr. Petrovic, thank you for joining us. to start, could you provide some background on GRECO’s role and the significance of these compliance reports for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Dr.Svetlana Petrovic: Certainly. GRECO is a specialized committee of the Council of Europe focused on preventing and combating corruption. They assess member states’ legal frameworks and practical measures against corruption. These compliance reports are vital because they provide an independant, international assessment of a country’s progress in tackling this critical issue. For Bosnia and Herzegovina,which aspires to EU membership,strengthening its anti-corruption measures is a prerequisite for advancement.
Key Findings and concerns
Senior Editor: What are the key findings of GRECO’s recent reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina? what are the most pressing concerns raised?
Dr. petrovic: The reports highlight several areas of concern. While progress has been made in areas like asset recovery and legislative frameworks, GRECO stresses that implementation remains weak. Ther are critically important challenges regarding the effectiveness of anticorruption agencies, the independence of the judiciary, and the lack of political will to effectively tackle corruption, particularly at the highest levels.
Senior Editor: The reports also mention a persistent lack of public trust in institutions, a crucial factor in any successful anti-corruption strategy. how significant is this lack of trust,and what are its potential ramifications?
Dr. Petrovic: Public trust is fundamental to effective anti-corruption efforts. When people perceive a lack of accountability and fairness in the system, it erodes their faith in institutions and undermines the rule of law. This can lead to cynicism, apathy, and ultimately, a climate where corruption thrives.
The EU Accession Process and Anti-Corruption Reforms
Senior Editor: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession negotiations hinge heavily on progress in combatting corruption.How do these GRECO reports factor into this process? What are the stakes for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Dr. Petrovic: The EU accession process has clear criteria for rule of law and good governance,with tackling corruption being a non-negotiable requirement. These reports provide a clear roadmap for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The stakes are high as continued inaction could lead to further delays in the accession process, potential sanctions, or even a reevaluation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to EU membership.
Senior Editor:
Given this urgency, what concrete steps can Bosnia and Herzegovina take to address GRECO’s recommendations and meet EU standards?
Dr. Petrovic: the government needs to demonstrate a robust commitment to addressing corruption through concrete actions. This includes strengthening anti-corruption agencies, ensuring judicial independence, reforming the financial sector to enhance transparency, and enacting stricter penalties for corrupt practices. Equally significant is building public trust through open and accountable governance.
Senior Editor: Dr. Petrovic, your insights are invaluable. Thank you for shedding light on this crucial issue for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dr.Petrovic: The pleasure is mine.
These reports serve as a wake-up call for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country faces a critical juncture in its journey toward EU membership. Delivering on its commitment to fight corruption is essential not only for political and economic progress but also for building a more just and equitable society.