{"id":2030620,"date":"2026-07-07T05:00:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T02:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2030620"},"modified":"2026-07-07T05:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T02:00:35","slug":"punishing-struggling-eu-candidates-is-wrong-approach-bosnia-and-herzegovina-ambassador-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2030620","title":{"rendered":"Punishing struggling EU candidates is wrong approach, Bosnia and Herzegovina ambassador says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/65\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_81ce1694-446f-5441-b8c6-11f1e7f9f2ab-9826598.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2907391-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907391\" data-cid=\"9825760\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907391-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/57\/60\/189x106_cmsv2_34335d8a-08c6-5464-9ccf-b259a614c78e-9825760.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the inauguration of Egypt&apos;s new Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Egypt<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No lasting Middle East peace without a Palestinian state. al-Sisi says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907662-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907662\" data-cid=\"9827050\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907662-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/70\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_256b5d62-4dcd-5e95-91e6-4aa243850991-9827050.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Planning to visit Europe this summer? The new Entry\/Exit System means longer queues\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907853-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907853\" data-cid=\"9827956\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907853-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/79\/56\/189x106_cmsv2_6c027c2f-2a9e-5ddb-937e-2813dd2b8098-9827956.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One, Monday, 6 July, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Newsletter: NATO braces for impact\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907839-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907839\" data-cid=\"9827893\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907839-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/78\/93\/189x106_cmsv2_61edb9c4-397c-57e8-aad7-41172c6956fc-9827893.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong stands outside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong, 28 November, 2019\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    China<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong set for September sentencing\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907391-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907391\" data-cid=\"9825760\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907391-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/57\/60\/189x106_cmsv2_34335d8a-08c6-5464-9ccf-b259a614c78e-9825760.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the inauguration of Egypt&apos;s new Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Egypt<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No lasting Middle East peace without a Palestinian state. al-Sisi says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907662-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2907662\" data-cid=\"9827050\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907662-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/70\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_256b5d62-4dcd-5e95-91e6-4aa243850991-9827050.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Planning to visit Europe this summer? The new Entry\/Exit System means longer queues\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907853-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907853\" data-cid=\"9827956\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907853-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/79\/56\/189x106_cmsv2_6c027c2f-2a9e-5ddb-937e-2813dd2b8098-9827956.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One, Monday, 6 July, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Newsletter: NATO braces for impact\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907839-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907839\" data-cid=\"9827893\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907839-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/78\/93\/189x106_cmsv2_61edb9c4-397c-57e8-aad7-41172c6956fc-9827893.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong stands outside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong, 28 November, 2019\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    China<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong set for September sentencing\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Punishing struggling EU candidates is wrong approach, Bosnia and Herzegovina ambassador says<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/65\/98\/1536x864_cmsv2_81ce1694-446f-5441-b8c6-11f1e7f9f2ab-9826598.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A Bosnian flag waves on a Sarajevo building scarred by bullet and shelling damage from the 1992-1995 war.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A Bosnian flag waves on a Sarajevo building scarred by bullet and shelling damage from the 1992-1995 war.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Armin Durgut<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Armin Durgut\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspLuca Bertuzzi\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783400435\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-07-07 07:00:35 +02:00\">07\/07\/2026 &#8211; 7:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span 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class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Bosnia and Herzegovina&#8217;s EU ambassador warns that cutting Western Balkans funding over stalled reforms risks turning accession into a competition and fuelling anti-EU sentiment ahead of October elections.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>EU hopeful members that struggle to carry out necessary reforms need support, not punishment, Obrad Kesi\u0107, Bosnia and Herzegovina&#8217;s Ambassador to the EU, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Last week, Euronews revealed that the European Commission was set to redirect funding from Western Balkan candidate countries that failed to deliver required reforms towards better-performing ones, with Bosnia and Herzegovina set to be the biggest loser.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If students are struggling, punishment is not the best method to get them back on track,&#8221; Kesi\u0107 said, adding that the move would be unfortunate for his country&#8217;s citizens.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that recent visits by European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas clearly show that Brussels is not losing interest in his country, but warned that taking funding away might send the wrong political signal, turning the accession process into a competition and undermining the close cooperation Western Balkan countries have built up in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, for instance, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia coordinated closely to resolve the problem of truck drivers stuck at the EU border as the new Entry\/Exit system was gradually rolled out.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;All decision-makers in Sarajevo are aware of their responsibility for the lack of progress on agreed reforms,&#8221; Kesi\u0107 said, pointing to domestic issues such as the collapse of the coalition government and a constitutional crisis.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are aware that we have not done our homework, but reallocating funding would not be the best motivator,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>The ambassador also argued that the timing of the decision is particularly sensitive, since it risks becoming a major political issue ahead of elections in October, handing strong arguments to anti-EU forces.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We know that is not the intent, but this decision would inevitably impact the democratic process and influence the elections,&#8221; Kesi\u0107 warned.<\/p>\n<p>The ambassador pointed to a growing lack of confidence in the accession process, driven largely by EU countries floating ideas to reform enlargement, including a Franco-German proposal for &#8220;gradual integration&#8221;<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>These new ideas are seen as creating uncertainty, since they could change the process for candidate countries already in the queue, much as Brussels&#8217;s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans overshadowed the Berlin process in the past.<\/p>\n<p>Sarajevo has not yet been formally informed of the decision, and hopes the reallocation of the \u20ac6 billion fund, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina is due to receive just under \u20ac1 billion, will be more modest than the full amount suggests.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission has some options to keep candidate countries that have missed reform deadlines from losing funding altogether, such as redirecting unspent money towards technical assistance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EXCLUSIVE: EU set to reallocate Western Balkans funding in favour of accession &#8216;frontrunners&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Exclusive: Costa backs simpler EU accession rules ahead of Western Balkans summit<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Paris and Berlin push &#8216;gradual integration&#8217; plan into EU ahead of Balkans summit<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Western Balkans<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU enlargement<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Bosnia and Herzegovina<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/71\/89\/320x180_cmsv2_6e91290a-5b46-5b69-9901-e78d489ef447-9827189.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Far-right party National Rally president Jordan Bardella and far-right leader Marine Le Pen attend a rally in Lievin, northern France, 4 July 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The verdict that could end Marine Le Pen \u2013 and launch Jordan Bardella<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907779-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907779\" data-cid=\"9827608\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907779-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/76\/08\/320x180_cmsv2_207b6241-679e-5383-9147-1d5bf4932dff-9827608.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - Smoke rises over the city center after a Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, 25 June 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The five fastest-growing economies in Europe over the next five years<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907789-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907789\" data-cid=\"9827618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907789-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" 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alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906960-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906960\" data-cid=\"9823790\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Switzerland\u2019s solar railway has been a success. 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Smoke rises over the city center after a Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, 25 June 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The five fastest-growing economies in Europe over the next five years<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907789-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907789\" data-cid=\"9827618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907789-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/76\/18\/320x180_cmsv2_d0d19b32-b339-58f2-88ef-af662f29ea3e-9827618.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Belgium players celebrate after they won a World Cup round of 16 soccer match against the United States in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium thrashes USA, setting up World Cup quarterfinal against Spain<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907791-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907791\" data-cid=\"9827644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907791-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/76\/44\/320x180_cmsv2_8c2a4f08-6806-568d-99fa-f08da9486c0c-9827644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tankers and cargo vessels are seen in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Oil tanker reportedly hit by &#8216;unknown projectile&#8217; in Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907653-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907653\" data-cid=\"9826991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907653-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/69\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_62b7bc35-6a0e-5e1b-84d7-792b84765788-9826991.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The law will allow platforms such as WhatsApp to take voluntary measures to identify users suspected of sharing child sexual abuse \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to extend message-scanning regime to detect child abuse online<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906960-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906960\" data-cid=\"9823790\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Switzerland\u2019s solar railway has been a success. 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Kesi\u0107 said, adding that the move would be unfortunate for his country&#8217;s citizens.He noted that recent visits by European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas clearly show that Brussels is not losing interest in his country, but warned that taking funding away might send the wrong political signal, turning the accession process into a competition and undermining the close cooperation Western Balkan countries have built up in recent years.Earlier this year, for instance, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia coordinated closely to resolve the problem of truck drivers stuck at the EU border as the new Entry\/Exit system was gradually rolled out.&#8221;All decision-makers in Sarajevo are aware of their responsibility for the lack of progress on agreed reforms,&#8221; Kesi\u0107 said, pointing to domestic issues such as the collapse of the coalition government and a constitutional crisis.&#8221;We are aware that we have not done our homework, but reallocating funding would not be the best motivator,&#8221; he added.The ambassador also argued that the timing of the decision is particularly sensitive, since it risks becoming a major political issue ahead of elections in October, handing strong arguments to anti-EU forces.&#8221;We know that is not the intent, but this decision would inevitably impact the democratic process and influence the elections,&#8221; Kesi\u0107 warned.The ambassador pointed to a growing lack of confidence in the accession process, driven largely by EU countries floating ideas to reform enlargement, including a Franco-German proposal for &#8220;gradual integration&#8221;.These new ideas are seen as creating uncertainty, since they could change the process for candidate countries already in the queue, much as Brussels&#8217;s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans overshadowed the Berlin process in the past.Sarajevo has not yet been formally informed of the decision, and hopes the reallocation of the \u20ac6 billion fund, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina is due to receive just under \u20ac1 billion, will be more modest than the full amount suggests.The Commission has some options to keep candidate countries that have missed reform deadlines from losing funding altogether, such as redirecting unspent money towards technical assistance.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/07\/07\/punishing-struggling-eu-candidates-is-wrong-approach-bosnia-and-herzegovina-ambassador-say&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/65\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_81ce1694-446f-5441-b8c6-11f1e7f9f2ab-9826598.jpg&#8221;] Egypt No lasting Middle East peace without a Palestinian state. al-Sisi says Europe Today Watch: Planning to visit Europe this summer? The new Entry\/Exit System means longer queues Europe News Newsletter: NATO braces for impact China Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong set for September sentencing Egypt No lasting Middle East peace without [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2030620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2030620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2030620"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2030620\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2030620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2030620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2030620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}