President Borut Pahor has welcomed the European Commission's decision to recommend that Bosnia and Herzegovina be granted EU candidate status. This is a significant move for peace and stability in the Western Balkans, the president's office said in a press release on Wednesday.

Pahor's office noted that the president had presented his initiative for candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina without conditions in February, before the Russian attack on Ukraine, which ultimately led to the latter being granted candidate status.

Pahor has argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession should not be viewed in a narrow administrative way of whether it meets conditions, but was a "first rate geopolitical issue", the press release said.

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhely announced the news today in the European Parliament, adding that the country must meet several conditions, including in the judiciary, corruption and freedom of speech. The final decision will be made by the European Council.

In June, Pahor discussed his initiative with Prime Minister Robert Golob, after which Pahor wrote a letter to European Council President Charles Michel, while Golob advocated for the move with the European Council.

Despite initial setbacks, Slovenia has succeeded that the European Council ordered the Commission to draft a report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the president's office said.

"Today's decision by the European Union raises hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be granted candidate status at the December EU Summit," the press release said.

Pahor believes this is a turning point for two reasons: because it marks the actual beginning of Bosnia's European future, and because the move is of great importance for peace and stability in the Western Balkans.