Security sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Measuring the effects of the EU's security governance through trial and error

Doi: https://doi.org/10.58603/EVPG2583

Abstract: In light of the current significant milestones in the relationship between the European Union and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Reauthorisation of EUFOR Altea on November 3rd last year and the European Council decision to grant candidate country status to Bosnia-Herzegovina on December 15th 2022, we see an accelerated dynamics giving impetus towards addressing decisive reforms in the country. Western Balkans states have been an important security complex for the European Union, both in terms of stabilizing efforts, agenda setting as well as mechanisms to export security governance. The European Union`s interest in pacifying the area grew in conjunction with its own identity in terms of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
We intend to explore the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in terms of how the concept of security sector reform (SSR) was designed and implemented, especially tracing the pedigree of reforms starting from EUFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina Military Operation Althea to the present day. Using process tracing and content analysis we want to examine to what extent European Union`s “positive offer” has managed to reset political priorities in Bosnia Herzegovina and what role security sector reform play in fixing the caveat to this process.