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

• 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 lifefor 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 productsExample 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.

Letzte Seite

Thank you for your attention