High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell held a call with President Milorad Dodik, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 11 January to discuss the dire humanitarian conditions of hundreds of migrants in the country.
The country’s authorities were repeatedly urged by the EU to quickly scale up their actions to address the grave humanitarian situation in Una-Sana Canton and provide basic and secure living conditions to all the persons of concern still sleeping out in the cold in extreme conditions.
High Representative Borrell reminded President Dodik of the EU’s full commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina, having provided financial support of more than €88 million, and – among other assistance – fully equipping the Bira Reception Centre, which is left unused. He called on the BiH authorities to work on sustainable solutions, notably with the opening of centres more evenly distributed across the full territory of the country.
Josep Borrell stressed that failing to do so would have severe consequences for the reputation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU counts on those in office in the country to take full responsibility, urgent action and do what it takes to provide immediate assistance and work on longer term solutions.
