Sarajevo (Fena) – The presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) has been assessed as very successful, with messages that BiH has demonstrated institutional maturity, the ability to coordinate and manage complex regional processes, and has confirmed its role as a reliable European partner, it was emphasized after the official opening of the 14th EU Strategy for the Danube Region Forum (EUSDR) in Sarajevo, which also included a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Danube region, as the concluding event of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s one-year presidency of the EUSDR, which Bosnia and Herzegovina took over from the Republic of Austria last year.
The organizers of the two-day 14th EU Strategy for the Danube Region Forum, held in Sarajevo, are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the Directorate for European Integration of BiH.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković, symbolically handed over the presidency of the EUSDR to the Minister for Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ivan Ivanov, as Bulgaria takes over the presidency from BiH.
Addressing the media, Konaković stated that BiH has successfully passed an important test by presiding over the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and has shown that it can manage complex regional processes at the highest level in the interest of its citizens and partners.
He emphasized that all planned goals were achieved during the past year, with a special focus on economic development.
– Our priorities were primarily focused on economic aspects that contribute to the development of the economy of BiH, and thus to addressing one of our biggest problems, the emigration of young people, as well as older individuals – said Konaković.
He thanked all partners and participating countries for their support, emphasizing the importance of the Danube Strategy as a platform that connects EU member states and those aspiring to membership.
– Through this exchange of experiences with colleagues from the EU and their direct assistance, we can make some important strides, which we have done – he emphasized.
He particularly underscored the importance of the EU enlargement process and full membership of BiH, assessing that the country is “a few steps away from the historic opening of negotiations.”
In this context, he called on all political actors in BiH to understand the importance of adopting two European laws, the law on the court and the law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, and to appoint a chief negotiator with the EU as a final step, who, as he said, must be extremely pro-European oriented.
The Director of the Directorate for European Integration of BiH, Elvira Habota, stated that the presidency of BiH of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region was one of the key tasks on the European path of our country, through which BiH demonstrated institutional maturity and the ability to coordinate the activities of 14 member states of the strategy.
Habota noted that during the first presidency of BiH in this initiative, a series of activities and events were organized that brought together more than 350 representatives from institutions, civil and business sectors, while the concluding Forum in Sarajevo gathered more than 400 actors and partners from the EU and member states of the Danube Strategy.
– The presidency confirmed that BiH can be a center of regional cooperation and a reliable European partner. We have shown that we are not just part of the European integration process, but also its active creator – she emphasized.
As she stated, BiH focused its presidency on topics that reflect the priorities of the EU and member states, among which support for the EU enlargement process and strengthening cooperation between member states and those in the accession process are particularly important.
– The Danube Strategy has provided us with a range of opportunities, primarily the chance to learn, exchange experiences, and build partnerships that bring us closer to the European Union. Activities involving youth, civil society, and entrepreneurs were of particular significance – emphasized the director of the Directorate for European Integration.
The Minister for Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ivan Ivanov, also addressed the media, stating that Bulgaria will continue the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in the same spirit of partnership that BiH successfully led this process during the past year.
He thanked his colleagues from BiH for their dedication and commitment during their presidency of the Strategy, leaving it with a clear focus and concrete results.
– As Bulgaria takes over the presidency of the Danube Strategy, we do so with deep respect for the work invested during the previous presidency and with a strong sense of shared responsibility – said Ivanov.
He emphasized that the main priorities of the Bulgarian presidency will be to reduce regional disparities and create greater opportunities across the Danube region.
– We believe that by strengthening the Danube region, we enhance our diversities and our ability to turn them into a driving force for common progress and solidarity – emphasized the Bulgarian minister.
Ivanov added that no region or community should be neglected and that Bulgaria will work to make the Strategy an even stronger platform for cooperation, solidarity, and connecting policies, financing, and people.
The Head of the European Union Delegation in BiH, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, emphasized that strengthening cross-border cooperation is at the very heart of the reasons for the establishment of the EU and that the EU Strategy for the Danube Region helps member states and candidate countries build stronger cooperation and ensure visible benefits for their citizens.
Soreca also pointed out that the EU will continue to align macro-regional priorities with existing financial mechanisms, particularly taking into account the needs of youth and new generations.
– The best guarantee for greater prosperity and stability, both for BiH and for the entire Danube region, is a shared future within the European Union – he said.
He reminded that the EU presented the Progress Report for all candidate countries this week and that the recent visits of high European officials Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos to BiH once again confirmed that EU enlargement is “the greatest European investment in peace, stability, and hope.”
– Together we can turn opportunities into real progress for the Western Balkans and the entire Danube region – Soreca concluded.
At the meeting, the Sarajevo-Danube Declaration was also adopted, which is said to show a common vision for the Danube region. (7.11.)
