Luigi Soreca

Thank you to BiH HoP Speaker and HDZ BiH leader @Dragan_Covic for joining our meeting with 🇪🇺 EU Ambassadors in BiH 🇧🇦. We discussed the post-election political landscape, underlining our hope for swift and smooth formation of new authorities so that work on pending reforms, in particular for EU integration, can resume without delay. After a prolonged stalemate, we want to see BiH make tangible progress toward meeting the conditions to formally launch accession negotiations via an Intergovernmental Conference and seize the opportunities of the Growth Plan. The EU and its Member States remain dedicated partners to BiH. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Constructive discussion today with SBiH leader Semir Efendić. We spoke about the current political and economic situation in BiH, as well as the role that all political stakeholders can play in enabling progress towards a future in the EU. With the election results now having been confirmed, it is crucial that political actors decisively shift their focus to delivering on the EU path. European integration remains the surest foundation of prosperity and stability for Bosnia and Herzegovina. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

With great sadness, today in Tuzla, we paid our final respects to Sgt Maj Simone Ruggia, Sgt Maj Claudio Marchesi, Lt Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sgt Laura Procacci as they began their journey home to Italy. Their service to peace, stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be forgotten. Il nostro profondo ringraziamento. Riposino in pace. 🇪🇺🇮🇹🇧🇦 @euforbih @italyinbih

With a heavy heart, I stood today alongside the EUFOR Italian troops at Camp Butmir, together with 🇮🇹 Defence Minister @GuidoCrosetto, 🇮🇹 Chief of Defence Staff General Luciano Portolano @SM_Difesa, 🇮🇹 Ambassador @sarahcastellani and EUFOR Commander Major General Maurizio Fronda @euforbih 🇪🇺, to honour the memory of the four service members who tragically died in the helicopter accident near Brčko. My thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the four members of our EUFOR family who gave their lives in the service of peace. We will remember them. I wish a full and swift recovery to those injured. I am grateful to the local authorities and citizens for their immediate assistance, and to everyone who has shown sympathy and support in these difficult days. The 🇪🇺 remains firmly committed to peace and stability in 🇧🇦 and will continue to fully support EUFOR Althea in carrying out its renewed mandate.

Important news from the UN Security Council today - the mandate of @euforbih 🇪🇺 has been extended for another year. Yesterday's tragedy has shown how connected EUFOR is with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And how EUFOR soldiers dedicate themselves to supporting peace and stability, to standing alongside our partners in BiH. In these tough times we stand with them. With families of those who were lost. With those recovering. With all those affected by this tragedy. The mandate renewal is another testament to the importance of the work you do, your dedication and professionalism. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Today, the EU🇪🇺 staff in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with 🇩🇪 and 🇮🇪colleagues sharing the same premises, came all together for a minute of silence in honour of the @euforbih 🇮🇹 service members who tragically lost their lives yesterday. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues. We wish those injured strength and a full recovery. 🇪🇺 stands in full solidarity with Italy 🇮🇹 at this difficult time. @italyinbih

A heartbreaking day for the EU family in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We stand united in grief with our colleagues and friends at @euforbih following the tragic helicopter accident near Brčko. I have just conveyed my personal condolences, as well as the condolences of @eubih, in person to EUFOR Commander Major General Maurizio Fronda and his team at Camp Butmir. Our thoughts are with the families of those who passed away in the accident, and we wish strength and a swift recovery to the injured service members. We remain in close contact with EUFOR Commander. 🇪🇺 🇮🇹 🇧🇦 @italyinbih

Today, we celebrated the opening of the Zenica Tunnel and the Nemila to Poprikuše section along Corridor 5c - 21 kilometres of new, modern motorway! 🇪🇺🇧🇦 Corridor 5c is Bosnia and Herzegovina's most significant infrastructure project. Every completed section delivers faster and safer journeys and better connections to the EU for BiH citizens and businesses. The 🇪🇺 has invested €870 million in grants in this project through the @TheWBIF, including €61.5 million for the sections opened today. We all have an interest in completing Corridor 5c as soon as possible. To safeguard EU funds, integrity at every stage, from tendering to construction supervision and financial reporting, is essential. The EU is ready to continue its support, and has reserved €522 million for WBIF projects through the Reform and Growth Facility of the Growth Plan. But to access these funds, BiH must put the necessary legal framework in place and deliver the key reforms in its Reform Agenda. We look forward to celebrating more completed sections in future! 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Productive meeting today with SDA President @Izetbegovic_B. We discussed the political situation after the general elections and the next steps towards the formation of the new authorities. A future in the 🇪🇺EU is the best guarantee of prosperity and stability for BiH. I reiterated the tangible benefits of EU integration for all citizens, our commitment to BiH's EU perspective, and our readiness to engage with newly formed authorities to accelerate the pace of progress towards EU membership. Only a few steps remain to meet the conditions for holding the first Intergovernmental Conference and formally launch EU accession negotiations. Moreover, delivering on the reforms contained in the Reform Agenda of the Growth Plan will bring EU funding, improved business climate and better quality of life. All political actors have a crucial role to play in making use of the opportunities on offer. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Constructive meeting with FBiH PM and SDP leader @NiksicN today. Following the recent elections, the swift and smooth formation of authorities on all levels in BiH will enable institutions to focus on important reforms, including those necessary for progress on the 🇪🇺EU path. Formally launching accession negotiations at the first EU-BiH Intergovernmental Conference will provide a structured format to discuss issues that matter for BiH citizens, as well as a clear path towards improvements to their quality of life. There is still time for 🇧🇦BiH to benefit from the Growth Plan. This could make a real difference for citizens and businesses. Action needs to be taken swiftly however, as the risk of losing EUR 373 million from BiH's allocation, in addition to the EUR 108 million already lost, is real. The 🇪🇺 is fully committed to further advancing BiH’s EU perspective and to continue closely engaging with the new authorities. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Pleased to welcome today to Sarajevo the Chair of the @Europarl_EN's Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield @NathalieLoiseau as well as Committee Members @MikaAaltola @acmendes73 @CristianTerhes. This is an important visit at a crucial time for BiH. Disinformation, foreign interference and other hybrid threats are common tools used to disrupt democratic processes and EU integration efforts. It is more important than ever to empower countries and institutions to counter them. We discussed the impact these threats could have in 🇧🇦BiH and how the 🇪🇺EU can help the country overcome such challenges in various areas, from strengthening cybersecurity to improving electoral integrity and trust in electoral processes. 🙏 Thank you for our productive exchange and your commitment to exploring these matters with a wide range of stakeholders during your visit. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Today in Zenica, we launched the 4th edition of 🇪🇺’s Generation Change programme for university students! Together with students from the Universities of Zenica and Sarajevo, we were joined by Conor McCann, 🇮🇪 Deputy Ambassador as well as BiH 🇧🇦 sporting legends @AmelTuka @NumanovicAzra who brought their unique perspectives of acting as role models and sporting ambassadors. Together, we talked about the power of sport and its potential to act as an engine of tourism and economic growth for BiH. Our discussions on different topics will continue. As part of this year's programme, we plan to speak with over 500 students from across BiH in the coming months! 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Happy #UNDay to our colleagues and partners at @UN_BiH! It was a pleasure to mark this day alongside our international and BiH 🇧🇦 partners. The premiere of documentary "Peace Guardians" was a powerful tribute to BiH woman police officers who serve under the UN flag, reminding us that peace is built by people whose courage and commitment reach far beyond borders. The EU 🇪🇺 and the UN 🇺🇳 are strong partners, working together every day to support BiH’s EU path and sustainable development goals. Through our Strategic Dialogue and joint projects, we will continue working to advance human rights, economic development and tangible benefits for all citizens.

Constructive discussions today at the Security Roundtable in Camp Butmir, co-hosted by @euforbih Commander Major General Maurizio Fronda and @natobih Commander Brigadier General Jamie Fowler. We spoke about the political and security situation in 🇧🇦BiH following the general elections, as well as our continuous coordination and cooperation in supporting the country and its institutions in ensuring stability, development and a safe and secure environment for all. Earlier this month, the 🇪🇺EU allocated a new €10 million package in support for Medical Units in the the Armed Forces of partners in the Western Balkans through European Peace Facility, and the BiH Armed Forces have previously also received €35 million over three assistance measures. The EU remains unequivocally committed to BiH's territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order, while #EUFOR Althea is a key element of our support. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Today, together with 🇪🇺EU Ambassadors in 🇧🇦BiH, we paid a visit to BiH Central Electoral Commission and met with its President Kalaba as well as other @IZBORI_BA members Arnautović, Rogić, Bakalar and CEC Secretary Mišković. BiH CEC has worked with great commitment and professionalism to ensure the successful conduct of 2026 General Elections and implementation of new technologies, despite many challenges. We thank them and commend their dedication and hard work. It was also good to discuss the elections overall, in particular the functioning of new technologies, including what lessons can be learned from both positive experiences and challenges so that the process can be further improved. For our part, the EU and its Member States will continue to stand by BiH CEC and to support the efforts to strengthen electoral integrity and democratic processes in BiH, which are also key elements of the country's path towards the EU membership. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Stronger cooperation in justice and security is an important part of bringing 🇧🇦 closer to the EU. Today’s signing of the Working Arrangement between 🇧🇦 and @Eurojust is an important step. It provides for the appointment of liaison prosecutors between BiH and Eurojust. This will further strengthen judicial cooperation and the capacity to address serious cross-border crime. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Glad to host Head of @osce_odihr Election Observation Mission Tana de Zulueta and Dario Jovanović from @pod_lupom for an exchange today with 🇪🇺EU Ambassadors in 🇧🇦BiH. Independent international and domestic election observation is important in providing a full and clear picture of the electoral process and strengthening public trust in the elections. We discussed their findings from the Election Day, including on the use of new technologies, and identified successes and challenges. These insights can be very valuable to improve the process for the future, and ensure even more free, fair and transparent elections. The EU and its Member States will continue to support such efforts and we thank ODIHR, Pod lupom and all independent observers for their essential work. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

Today, the @EU_Commission published a very important policy document outlining the future of EU enlargement. See below👇. Enlargement has rarely been as high a political priority for the European Union as it is today. In an era of heightened geopolitical volatility, enlargement remains the single best strategic investment in the long-term peace, stability, and prosperity of our continent. Yet the EU is more than a community of shared values—it is a functional Union based on common standards and mutual trust. To join this Union, candidate countries must implement comprehensive reforms so that our integrated market and democratic institutions work seamlessly for everyone. The necessary reforms bring multiple benefits for citizens - a stronger economy, more functional democratic institutions and public administration, higher standards for basic needs such as water quality and food safety. At the same time, the EU must adapt its governance to make decision-making swifter and more effective. Just as candidate countries must make changes, the Commission is also proposing to reform the EU's governance so that an enlarged Union remains strong, efficient, and capable of acting decisively. It is also clear that candidate countries should not have to wait until full accession to feel the tangible benefits of the EU path. Through gradual integration, as BiH delivers on critical reforms, its citizens and businesses can progressively access key parts of the EU Single Market, cooperation programmes, and investments along the way. Those partners who have demonstrated sustained political will and alignment with European standards will soon receive indicative roadmaps with tentative timelines towards accession. Due to prolonged political deadlock, Bosnia and Herzegovina is regrettably not listed among them. But the door to EU membership remains wide open for BiH. Following the recent elections, the formation of new authorities presents a renewed opportunity. Delivering tangible progress toward EU integration should be a key priority for the newly established authorities. The EU accounts for over two-thirds of BiH’s trade. Our citizens are connected by deep cultural, familial, and economic ties. Geographically and historically, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the heart of Europe. Its future belongs in the European Union. 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦