Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any issues holding back the acceptance of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a candidate country to join the EU, including relating to constitutional and legal reform; and what assistance they are giving as a result.

The Government remains committed to driving reform, embedding stability and addressing shared challenges, such as security and migration, in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). At the 20 September 2016 General Affairs Council, the EU agreed that the Commission should issue a questionnaire to BiH authorities to assess the country's readiness to be granted candidate country status. That process is continuing. We will continue to support the reforms required through our bilateral engagement (including approximately £6.63 million in programme assistance in financial year 2016-17), in order to ensure BiH becomes a more stable, secure and prosperous country.