EU leaders named Bosnia-Herzegovina an official candidate for membership of the European Union, an EU official and multiple EU diplomats told dpa on Thursday.
EU candidate status for Bosnia-Herzegovina was subject to reforms in the rule of law, democratic standards and public administration in the Western Balkan country.
Bosnia's progression towards membership comes as part of a wider EU push for enlargement in the Western Balkans, vying for influence with neighbouring countries, against competition from China and Russia.
The designation is the first step in a long and complex path to membership of the bloc and required the unanimous approval of all current EU member states.
