Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the European family, and when a family member needs help, everyone is there to help, said the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Soreca, in an Aktualni intervju on BHT1.
Speaking about international efforts to help the vulnerable population in areas affected by catastrophic floods, Soreca said that the European Union has an extremely strong system – the civil protection mechanism, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a part since 2022.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina made its contribution by engaging in Slovenia and Turkey, and now Bosnia and Herzegovina also needed help,” he said, reminding that the BiH Ministry of Security had already activated a mechanism for assistance on Saturday.
“Relief teams arrived on the ground, not only in Jablanica but also in central Bosnia, from Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, which, I believe, helped to a significant extent in solving the consequences of the disaster. However, there are also nine other countries which offered help in terms of excavators, accommodation, beds, aggregates, heavy machinery in the field. In addition, the Koprenikus satellite system was activated, which was very helpful to the civil protection in the field in terms of the engagement of rescue teams, and will prove useful in future for damage assessment,” said Soreca.
According to him, rescue is still a priority, and further steps that will help the population, including the restoration of road and rail traffic, are being considered.
“The message is clear: Bosnia and Herzegovina is not alone,” he said, adding that he was proud that they were able to help so quickly.
Soreca, speaking about his impressions after the meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina. officials, said that despite all the political differences, they are all united in the view that European integration is a strategic goal.
“The very fact that over 70 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens strongly support European integration, in itself represents a certain obligation for politicians. We need everyone in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to make a step forward on the road to European integration,” he added.
Soreca emphasized that when it comes to the Reform Agenda, which Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet submitted to Brussels, it is clear that it is late and that other countries have submitted their reform agendas, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is still in the discussion phase with the European Commission.
“We expect that process to be finalized soon. I think it is clearly in the interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens that this happens,” he said, adding that the Growth Plan goes much further than the Reform Agenda.
“The very spirit of the Growth Plan is to already at this moment ensure the benefits that come with full membership, for ordinary citizens. For example, the Growth Plan would reduce costs for businessmen in terms of transactions between BiH and the European Union market, or lower roaming costs for young people or more favorable transport , that is, the import and export of goods. That is why it is important that domestic leaders return to the table,” Soreca emphasized.
When it comes to the European Commission’s Report on the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be published in December, he said that the Report will be objective, which means that there has been no real progress since March, but that this can change, if Bosnia and Herzegovina officials continue to fulfill the set conditions. Changes can only come about through internal agreement, and the EU Delegation is here to help, he emphasized.
The head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina also referred to the state of the Public Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Of course, I am familiar with the situation in which the system of public broadcasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina found itself. The very fact and the selection of BHRT for my first interview shows how much I appreciate and respect the importance of the work of public broadcasters. Public broadcasters are an integral part of every democratic society and European the union fully supports an efficient, sustainable solution for public broadcasters. I know that certain temporary solutions have been established, there is still much to be resolved, but the European Union remains with the system of public broadcasters because it is a sign of functioning democracies and, ultimately, one of the values of the European Union,” the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Soreca, said for BHRT, among other things.
