The role of the European Union in state functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a peculiar state that differs greatly from other countries which was established by the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement ending dreadful war in Yugoslavia. Consequently, a state structure was created by considering the "interests of Bosniak, Serbs and Croats, who are considered as three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This agreement is a constitutional agreement established to ensure peace in the country. But today, peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not mean more than the absence of war. The dysfunctional structure of the state is reflected in many areas as problems such as public, economic and political. Although constitutional reform is generally agreed on by internal and external actors, the most important problem is how these reforms will be carried out. Therefore, an external driving force is needed. In this context, the study analyzed the extent to which the EU could contribute to the realization of reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and whether or not it can actually exist? Thus, the EU's important role in the realization of these reforms in the state-building of Bosnia and Herzegovina was scrutinised. The study displayed the EU's influence on state-functioning, particularly on the citizenship crisis in the country, the government crisis after the 2010 elections, the Sejdić-Finci case and the judicial referendum of the BSC. Considering these case studies, it is certain that the EU has an impact on Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as, the EU's approach to solving problems and its level of influence is highly controversial.