Bosnia formally applies for European Union membership

Bosnia-Herzegovina has formally applied to join the European Union, the EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said this Monday in Sarajevo.

Although the country was listed as a potential candidate back in 2003, disputes between the Serb, Croat and Muslim communities prevented progress. Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders whose country holds the EU rotating presidency said he was pleased to see Bosnia back on track to reforms.

Membership will not happen overnight, with the 28 EU members now tasked to analyse the application

Critics are already questioning how the citizens of this former Yugoslav republic feel about joining the club and if the EU is resilient enough to absorb them.