ABOUT US
Who we are
The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina was first established in 1996, then as the Delegation of the European Commission. Since 2011, the powers and authorities of both the EU Special Representative (EUSR) and the Head of the European Union Delegation have been vested in the same person. Consequently, the Delegation and the Office of the EUSR together function as ‘one voice’ on the ground.
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Entrance to the EU House in Sarajevo.
Copyright: EU in BiH
Delegation
Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The role of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina is primarily aimed at:
- Presenting, explaining and implementing EU policy.
- Analyzing and reporting on the policies and developments in the country.
- Conducting negotiations in line with its mandate.
It operates under the overall leadership of the High Representative of the Union for the Common Foreign and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission. It promotes the EU’s interests that are embodied in common policies relating to, among others, foreign and security issues, commerce, agriculture, fisheries, environment, transport, health and safety. It plays a key role in the implementation of the EU’s external financial assistance. This primarily relates to the funds allocated under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA).
EUSR
Office of the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Union Special Representative (EUSR) is mandated by the Council of the European Union to reinforce the EU’s political support for its policy objectives in BiH: ‘BIH’s progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process, with the aim of seeing a stable, viable, peaceful, multi-ethnic BiH, co-operating fully and peacefully with its neighbors in the region’.
The EUSR offers advice and facilitation support in the political process to institutions at all levels, aimed at ensuring greater consistency and coherence of all political, economic and European priorities – particularly in the areas of the rule of law and security sector reform.
The EUSR is responsible for the coordination of the EU’s public communication in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for contributing to the further development of respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms. The EUSR reports to the Council of the European Union, the inter-governmental body representing the 27 EU Member States, through the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission.
The Delegation of the European Union and EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina also have regional offices in Banja Luka, Brčko and Mostar.
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Entrance to the EU House in Sarajevo.
Copyright: EU in BiH