A joint amendment to the European Parliament's annual report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, published on 12 June 2026, introduces a new condition for any transition away from the Office of the High Representative: it must be linked to the country's progress on its European path and to demonstrated local ownership of reforms. The amendment, co-sponsored by the S&D Group, the Verts/ALE Group, and S&D MEPs Kathleen Van Brempt, Nacho Sánchez Amor, and Matjaž Nemec, adds the phrase "while supporting greater local ownership and institutional responsibility for advancing along the country's European path" to the existing text on the OHR's future.
The amendment targets a single paragraph in the report by rapporteur Ondřej Kolář (EPP). The original text already stressed that any future transition should respect Bosnia's constitutional order, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The new language explicitly conditions the OHR's wind-down on Bosnia's own institutions taking charge of EU-related reforms, making the process performance-based rather than automatic. No other political group tabled a counter-amendment on this paragraph, suggesting broad consensus on the cautious approach.
Stakeholder impact
Bosnia's political leadership: The amendment pressures local leaders to accelerate EU reforms if they want the OHR to be phased out. Pro-reform parties may see it as an incentive, while nationalist parties that resist EU conditions may view it as an obstacle to full sovereignty.
The Office of the High Representative: The amendment reinforces the OHR's continued relevance until Bosnia meets EU-related benchmarks, potentially extending its mandate.
EU institutions: The European Parliament signals a preference for a gradual, conditional handover, aligning with the Council's and Commission's cautious stance on OHR closure.
Bosnian civil society: Pro-EU groups may welcome the linkage as a tool to push for reforms, while those seeking rapid closure may be disappointed.
Next steps
The amendment will be voted on in plenary as part of the Kolář report. If adopted, it will form part of the Parliament's position on Bosnia's EU accession process, influencing the Commission's annual assessment and the Council's discussions on the OHR's future.