EU accession is decided at the local level: CoR meetings in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia on the role of local authorities
In recent weeks, two important meetings have reaffirmed the commitment of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) to supporting the integration of the Western Balkans. In both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, the focus was on the role and capacity of local and regional authorities, as well as on the effective use of resources.
The most recent meeting of the CoR Working Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted that the path towards future EU membership is not only about reforms carried out at national level, but also about the genuine involvement of local and regional governments. The on-the-ground experience of Committee members helps to better understand the challenges faced by local actors and how the EU can support them in effectively translating EU standards into practice.
At the same time, the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) between the CoR and the Republic of Serbia met in Pirot for the 13th time, bringing together EU and Serbian local leaders. One of the key messages of the meeting was that the success of Serbia’s EU accession “is decided at the local level”: EU funds can only deliver real development if smaller municipalities also have the capacity to use them.
The discussions focused on how local authorities can be adequately prepared to implement projects in a compliant and effective manner—particularly in the areas of digital services and youth-oriented economic development. Representatives of several Serbian ministries, the EU Delegation, and associations of local governments also took the floor at the Pirot meeting, stressing that alongside development funding, strengthening “implementation capacity” is of crucial importance.
From Harghita County’s perspective, it was emphasized that these issues are particularly instructive for the region, as access to funding and the availability of human resources are decisive factors for sustainable development in mountainous and rural communities. The experiences confirm that accession and EU support can only build genuine trust if even the smallest localities are able to take advantage of the opportunities available.
At both forums, the CoR reaffirmed that local dialogue and the exchange of experience are of fundamental importance for the Western Balkan countries, and that the Committee intends to remain a committed partner in strengthening multilevel governance and supporting the implementation of reforms.
Pirot, 2025. 12. 16.
