The EU delegation to BiH issued the following press release:
Following his meeting with the Chairman of the BiH Presidency Denis Bećirović to present his credentials, the new Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Luigi Soreca delivered a video message emphasising his strong commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey towards EU membership.
In the message, Ambassador Soreca reflected on his previous work with Bosnia and Herzegovina, recalling the milestone of achieving visa-free travel to the EU in 2010. He emphasised that further progress on the EU path is possible with political will and cooperation from all levels of government. Ambassador Soreca also expressed his ambition to achieve new milestones in the coming years. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina can make on its EU path, noting that reforms will bring tangible benefits for citizens even before full EU membership is achieved.
Transcript
Ambassador Soreca video message after presenting credentials
- Dobar dan svima u Bosni i Hercegovini!
- My name is Luigi Soreca, and I have just presented my credentials as EU Ambassador to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- This means that my work to represent the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to support the efforts to bring this country closer to EU membership officially starts today.
- It is for me a great privilege to be back here. I have worked for many years with Bosnia and Herzegovina to support its EU integration.
- I fondly remember the joy of BiH citizens on the day of the 15th of December 2010 when they were granted visa-free travel to the European Union.
- I am proud to say that at the time I was responsible in the European Commission for coordinating the launch and implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Dialogues with countries in the Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina successfully fulfilled 174 benchmarks to receive visa-free travel. It was clear to me then, as it is now, that when there is political will, progress on the EU path is possible.
- My ambition is that in the coming years we will celebrate more milestones together.
- But making progress on the EU path will require continuous and constructive work from the authorities at all levels as well as the involvement of the whole of society.
- As underlined repeatedly by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, enlargement of the EU is a major political priority.
- The project of uniting our continent in peace, stability and prosperity will not be complete without Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of the region.
- EU membership is the most important shared objective for a large majority of people across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Joining the EU is a goal that unites.
- The reforms necessary on the EU path will also bring many concrete benefits for people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, even before it becomes an EU member state. Better public services, stronger rule of law, a more competitive economy, better transport connections and cleaner energy to name a few.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is always in the heart of Europe.
- I look forward to working together towards an EU future for Bosnia and Herzegovina and to discovering this beautiful country and getting to know better its warm-hearted people.
- Hvala i vidimo se!
Watch the video here.
