At the summit of 15 December 2022, the European Council endorsed the decision to grant the status of EU candidate country to Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, before accession negotiations can formally be launched, Bosnia and Herzegovina still has to implement further reforms. This mainly concerns the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, migration management and human rights. The country also needs to move forward with constitutional reform and electoral reform.

Thus, the following eight countries are currently recognised by the EU as candidates for accession: Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, as well as in the Western Balkans Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Kosovo has also submitted its application for EU membership to the European Council.