Bosnia and Herzegovina - June 2024

On 18 June, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) adopted a Strategy for the Fight against Corruption, covering 2024-2028, and an accompanying Action Plan for Implementation. The Strategy is consistent with the 14 key priorities needed for EU membership. The Strategy aims to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, tax authorities, judicial bodies, and other institutions involved in tackling corruption in BiH. It also seeks to boost information exchange and cooperation between institutions in BiH and across borders. BiH had been without an anti-corruption strategy at the state-level since 2019, when the previous strategy expired. A 2023 evaluation report from the Council of Europe’s corruption monitoring body GRECO noted a “legal vacuum” in state-level corruption prevention policy. The Strategy and Action Plan enter into force in July, and BiH’s national anti-corruption agency (APIK) will be responsible for monitoring their implementation.

Sources: Council of Ministers (1), Council of Ministers (2), OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, European Western Balkans, Radio Sarajevo, GRECO, Official Gazette