We, the people’s parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Reuniting twelve years after our joint declaration of 2014; Having regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina´s application for EU membership on 15 February 2016 with full respect to the established Coordination Mechanism; Having regard to the European Council conclusions of 15 December 2022 granting EU candidate country status to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Having regard to the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2024 on opening accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina; Having regard to previous resolutions of the European Parliament on Bosnia and Herzegovina; Having regard to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (GFAP) in light of the recent 30^th anniversary of its signing, alarmed by the ongoing attacks against the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the GFAP implementation along with agreed additional responsibilities and transitional arrangements including requirements to integrate the acquis communautaire of the European Union; Identifying with the values of the European People’s Party (EPP) and striving for full membership in that body recognising the importance of fostering and further promoting EPP values in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Reaffirming our unwavering commitment to upholding jointly undertaken obligations and former signed agreements; Reiterating our strong commitment to our overarching goal of full EU membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina, subordinating our efforts to this common goal to lay the legal and political basis that leads Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union, as swiftly as possible, by aligning to the acquis communautaire; Welcoming the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the EU path, reaffirming that all efforts shall be made for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unhindered participation in the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the urgent implementation of remaining EU reforms; Highlighting the geopolitical need of full alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union as a geopolitical necessity, especially regarding the current threats and wars against our European values and with the aim of combatting the existing and preventing any future malign influence of 3^rd countries in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Underlining that the European integration process remains a shared responsibility between the candidate countries and the European Union; Working to ensure the pursuit of common goals, which are based on the fundamental, interdependent, and equally important universal and European values, including: freedom and responsibility, fundamental equality, justice, truth and solidarity, and subsidiarity and prosperity; Emphasizing our belief that European integration is in the best interests of Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs, as constituent peoples (along with Others), and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Working together to set the conditions for Bosnia and Herzegovina respecting the Dayton General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (GFAP), its principles and its implementation for a self-supporting functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina which will lead to finalising the mandate of the High Representative and its executive powers by fulfilling the 5+2 agenda and other international reservation rights; Accordingly, and resting on the foundation of European values, we will strive to implement the following common goals:  

1. Identity and Diversity

 We, the EPP-affiliated political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Reaffirm the inalienable dignity of every human being at all stages of its existence. As people are free, responsible and interdependent, they take part in the building and improvement of society. Mindful of the cultural, national and religious diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s society, we commit to the affirmation of our identities and traditions in order to create: a modern and functional society implementing necessary reforms and standards consistent with the European values, whilst respecting and upholding the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such an approach constitutes the basis for harmonious coexistence in our country, which rests on unity through diversity and equality for constituent peoples and citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are advocating for an appropriate balance between tradition and modernity. The two are complementary and serve as stabilizing factors for our existence.  

2. Social Market Economy

 We, the EPP-affiliated political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Commit ourselves to the concept of the social market economy, which is based on the freedoms of the EU single market, preserves and develops the free market, protects both human rights and fundamental freedoms, and is firmly anchored in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such a socially oriented economic concept is one of the basic principles of our political family. It represents the economic and social order enshrined in European treaties, and the personal freedom, private property and free competition on the market, which is brought about through the harmony of social rights, public interest and sustainable development. We emphasize the ethics of work and entrepreneurship, which enable each individual to earn a living and enjoy a high quality of life. We seek to promote a constructive social dialogue among businesses, labour, the state and all levels of governance, which acknowledges the important role played by social partners. Commit ourselves to working on the necessary economic reforms providing especially the young generation with a perspective of a prosperous future and to contribute to the competitiveness of our country, the region and Europe, advancing on gradual integration by implementing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and fostering regional economic growth utilizing the tools of the Berlin Process to cultivate cooperation through the Common Regional Market.  

3. The Rule of Law

 We, the EPP-affiliated political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Strive for a developed and democratic European future, in which the Constitution of the state and rights and obligations therefrom will be unequivocally upheld and respected, reiterating our unquestionable respect for the Constitution as the highest legal act of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which shall operate under the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and embodying the principles of social justice. For this, Bosnia and Herzegovina requires a strong and independent judiciary, as well as an unimpeded administration functioning free from political influence and accountable to citizens. This encompasses responsible governance at all levels and necessitates the introduction of transparent, efficient and effective measures against corruption. We strive for a stable and efficient political dialogue and a functioning system that respects the principles of subsidiarity and ensures the equality of the three constituent peoples and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We strive for a stable and efficient political system that ensures the equality of all constituent peoples and citizens, implementing the necessary reforms that will ensure this; Condemn any unconstitutional or radical actions, departing from the constitutional and legal framework, and work towards ensuring the effective functioning of institutions; Hereby support the peace, stability, territorial integrity, sovereignty and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Urge all actors involved to strengthen media freedom, fight against any misuse of administrative resources and biased media coverage, fight against disinformation and for transparency in campaign financing and safeguards for journalists and civil society; We call on stakeholders to create a legal and political framework that enables free, fair and transparent elections, including the implementation of the judgments of the Constitutional Court of BiH and the European Court of Human Rights, elections that will improve the country respecting the individual and collective rights of the three constituent peoples, Croats, Bosniak, Serbs, Others and citizens using modern electoral  technologies; Underline that the EU and Southeast European countries need to be strong partners in managing migration challenges together.  

4. Cooperation and Mutual Respect as Our Guiding Principles for Cooperation

 We, the EPP-affiliated political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Commit ourselves to the principles and goals given in this declaration and pledge to achieve them in an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Affiliation with the EPP political family and its values form the driving force behind our pursuit of respect for identities and the associated traditions of our country, for democracy, economic prosperity, a functional state, the constitutional framework, and the full implementation of human rights standards. If we accept this challenge and take advantage of our potential, we can leave the political, economic and social challenges behind us. Are convinced that through membership in the European Union, our common good can be achieved and our goals and principles can be implemented. Commit ourselves to implementing our joint declaration and monitoring and assessing on a regular basis together with the European People´s Party (EPP) the content agreed in this Declaration.  Sarajevo, Monday 8 June 2026 Bakir Izetbegović President of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Dragan Čović                                                                                               President of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) Draško Stanivuković President of the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) Ilija Cvitanović President of the Croatian Democratic Union 1990 (HDZ 1990) Branko Blanuša President of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS)    Under the auspices and in the presence of Manfred Weber President of the European People’s Party (EPP)          The publication of this document received financial support from the European Parliament. Sole liability rests with the author. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.