The members of the BiH Presidency expressed their gratitude to the President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for the visit, which confirms the commitment to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They introduced the interlocutors to the progress that Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved and the efforts that have been made in order to fulfill the prerequisites for further progress on the European path. In this light, they emphasized the extreme importance of the next step on the European path and expressed the expectation that the European Commission will give a positive opinion and recommendation, based on which the European Council will make a decision on the start of negotiations on the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union.
Commission President Von der Leyen and Prime Minister Rutte welcomed the decision of the European Council in December 2023 to start negotiations, with the necessary progress and compliance with membership criteria.
They said that today’s visit aims to encourage everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take advantage of the current situation on the continent and the positive momentum in the European Union, in order to achieve progress on the European path.
They also discussed the Growth Plan of the European Commission, which refers to the Western Balkans, and which opens the door to a single European market through seven key areas.
Members of the BiH Presidency welcomed the adoption of the Growth Plan, stressing its importance for economic development and progress, and for the benefit of all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They emphasized the commitment to dialogue, the country’s reform and European path.
