Commission backs EU-Bosnia talks

Other Balkan countries have already started the EU talks process

The European Commission has recommended opening talks with Bosnia-Hercegovina that could lead to membership of the European Union.

Bosnia-Hercegovina was the only western Balkan country still awaiting the start of so-called Stabilisation and Association Agreement talks.

Croatia, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia are at different stages of the process.

The decision to start talks with Bosnia-Hercegovina must still be approved by the 25 member states.

A statement from the Commission said: "The Stabilisation and Association Agreement is the first major step in the European integration process for Bosnia and Hercegovina."

It follows progress Bosnia-Hercegovina has made in the implementation of the Feasibility Study reforms, the statement added.

The country must, however, continue to improve co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia.

And, the Commission said, the country would have to adopt laws on public broadcasting and ensure implementation of reforms aimed at ending the ethnic division of the police force.