Luigi Soreca

EU Ambassador and EU Special Representative (EUSR) 🇪🇺 for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)🇧🇦, former EU Ambassador to Albania. #EUDiplomacy

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Glad to join today's important visit by 🇫🇷 Minister Delegate for European Affairs @benjaminhaddad and 🇩🇪 Bundestag member and Minister of State for European Affairs @GuntherKrichba3 to Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦, which once again emphasised the continued engagement of the EU🇪🇺 and its Member States.

During the meeting with @Vijeceministara Chairwoman @KristoBorjana we discussed advancing reforms on the EU path, challenges and opportunities as well as benefits from implementing the Reform Agenda. Together as #TeamEurope we remain committed to supporting the country’s progress towards membership, but we also need to see concrete action by the BiH authorities.

A key element of the EU's continued support remains EUFOR Althea, particularly as a close partner to BiH institutions in preserving a safe and secure environment. @euforbih's presence is a tangible demonstration of EU's commitment to stability, security and peace in BiH and the wider region.

🙏 Thank you to the Ministers for this timely visit. We continue our joint efforts in helping BiH move forward to EU membership. This remains the best guarantee of lasting stability and prosperity.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Thank you @eucopresident António Costa for starting your Western Balkans tour with an important visit to 🇧🇦BiH.

As you underlined yesterday, "EU membership is a free and sovereign choice for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is about more than access to the Single Market. It means joining a political Union built on common values and shared strategic choices".

The 🇪🇺EU remains a committed partner supporting BiH on the path to EU accession. It is important BiH moves forward and does not miss valuable opportunities.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Day 1 of my visit to the six Western Balkans partners.

In Sarajevo, I met with the members of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, Denis Bećirović, Željka Cvijanović, Željko Komšić and the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, Borjana Krišto.

The country is just a few steps away from the next tangible phase in the opening of accession negotiations. Now is the time to focus on the goal and accelerate the pace of reforms.

The road ahead is demanding but there are some low hanging fruits to seize if Bosnia and Herzegovina delivers on the alignment with the EU legislation.

Ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, let’s build on the momentum for EU enlargement!

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Delighted to start my second visit to the Western Balkans in Sarajevo.

We want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina committing to its EU perspective. Much is at stake.

Follow live my press statement in Sarajevo ↓ https://t.co/AxwmBIVSBQ

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

A very warm welcome back to 🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina to @eucopresident António Costa for the start of his second Western Balkans trip!

Ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat on 5 June, this visit underlines that the 🇪🇺EU remains committed to BiH, and the rest of the region, on the path to EU membership.

BiH's future is in the EU. An enlarged EU means a safer, stronger and more peaceful Europe. The integration of the Western Balkans is of strategic importance for our continent, ensuring regional stability and increasing our collective prosperity and security.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

President @eucopresident Costa will visit next week the six Western Balkans partners, starting in Sarajevo on Monday 1 June, when he will be meeting members of the 🇧🇦 Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, Željka Cvijanović, Željko Komšić and the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, Borjana Kristo. 

President Costa: “My second Western Balkans tour sends a clear signal: the EU’s commitment to the region is real; as real as the opportunity for enlargement. The momentum is there. Now is the time to deliver”

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

https://t.co/B4bQpqtZYk

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Bajram Šerif Mubarek Olsun! #EidMubarak

I wish a happy and blessed Bajram to everyone celebrating today!

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

In Aesop’s famous fable, a fox tries unsuccessfully to reach a high bunch of grapes before walking away in a huff, muttering that they were probably sour anyway.

A remarkably similar narrative seems to be emerging in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is claimed for example that the risk to Bosnia and Herzegovina of losing €373.9 million from its Growth Plan allocation - on top of the €108 million already forfeited – is inconsequential.

It is said that funds available under the Growth Plan are unimportant, because they are "merely loans" rather than grants. This is highly misleading.

Of the total €976.6 million allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina in exchange for delivering on 113 clear reform steps, €280.3 million (548.21 million KM) consists entirely of non-repayable grants.

To put this in perspective: the draft annual state budget adopted by the Council of Ministers on 21 May 2026 stands at 1.58 billion KM. The Growth Plan's grant component alone is therefore equivalent to more than one-third of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entire annual state budget.

As for the loan component, these funds are offered on exceptionally favourable terms that far outmatch what is available from any other partner. The economic growth Bosnia and Herzegovina stands to achieve through these investments is projected to vastly exceed the value of the debt itself.

Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses immense, unrealised economic potential. The Growth Plan provides the exact toolkit needed to unlock sustainable growth, prosperity, and long-term stability.

Read more in my latest op-ed 👇

https://t.co/5Td8AkfY5a

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Every #23maggio, our mind goes back to those terrible moments of 34 years ago, when the mafia killed #GiovanniFalcone , together with his wife and escort.

What they couldn’t kill was his moral integrity and his great sense of duty.

His example, his ideas are still with us: “The men pass, the ideas remain. Their moral tension remains, and they will continue to walk on the legs of other men”.

Grazie sempre, oggi come allora🙏

[EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina @eubih]

We have launched #EU4Energy, a new platform showcasing 🇪🇺 support to the energy transition in 🇧🇦.

The EU remains a key partner in this process, providing financial & technical support for reforms, renewable energy & energy efficiency.

Discover more 👉 https://t.co/WxuP6Sxhmi

[EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina @eubih]

Today, we opened a new high-security detention complex on Igman, built with EU financial support.

🇪🇺 invested 9.5 million BAM in this modern facility. It is in line with European standards, & helps enhance #ruleoflaw & security in 🇧🇦.

We continue to be a loyal partner to BiH.

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Important discussions today at the Ambassadors' Roundtable at Camp Butmir hosted by @euforbih
🇪🇺 Commander Major General Maurizio Fronda and @natobih Commander Brigadier General Matthew Valas.

Great exchange about the political and security situation in 🇧🇦BiH. We underlined our continued collective dedication to working together in order to help maintain the safe and secure environment and ensure long-term stability.

#EUFOR Althea remains a crucial element of our support to BiH and its institutions. Additionally, yesterday the EU authorised a third support package for BiH Armed Forces, worth €15 million, that will help boost their military and defence capacities.

The EU remains unequivocally committed to BiH's territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order.

The doors to the EU membership are also open, and we will continue to support progress on this path as the best guarantee of further prosperity and stability.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

The EU 🇪🇺 is investing €10 million in a new grant to support road modernisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦!

This grant will facilitate further large investments by international financial institutions like the @EBRD, @EIB and @WorldBankGroup. It is expected that up to €300 million will be mobilised.

Very glad to be present for the launch of this initiative with EBRD VP Matteo Patrone, Head of EBRD in BiH Stela Melnić, FBiH Minister for Transport & Communications Andrijana Katić and RS Minister for Transport and Communications Zoran Stevanović.

Proper road infrastructure is essential across numerous spheres - from transport and the economy, to tourism, to safer and faster travel for citizens.

Our support is clear. We continue to stand with BiH as dedicated partners.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

The EU 🇪🇺 continues to invest in stability and security in BiH 🇧🇦.

Today, the the EU has authorised a new €15 million package to support the 🇧🇦BiH Armed Forces.

This is the third measure through the European Peace Facility directly for BiH. There was also another recent package for medical units in armed forces across the Western Balkans. This brings the total amount of money allocated by the EU to the Armed Forces of BiH to almost €50 million since 2021.

Our supports helps strengthen the military and defence capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including strengthening interoperability and operational readiness.

We remain a loyal and committed partner to 🇧🇦 BiH.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[EU Council Press @EUCouncilPress]

#EuropeanPeaceFacility: @EUCouncil adopts the third assistance measure to support the operational readiness of Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a total amount of €15 million.

👇
https://t.co/ZVkd2Vt21e

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Good exchange with Prime Minister of Una Sana Canton Mustafa Ružnić and USC Assembly Speaker Nisvet Jusić in Bihać, together with Ambassadors and representatives of Embassies of 🇦🇹🇪🇸🇮🇪🇷🇴🇸🇮 to BiH 🇧🇦!

The EU remains a loyal parter to citizens in Una Sana Canton, and across BiH, investing in projects that improve the quality of life.

We spoke about the EU integration process and the significant role cantonal and local authorities have in ensuring membership requirements are met and bringing EU standards closer to citizens.

#ED2026 #OurFutureOurEurope

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Today, in Banja Luka, with Mayor @Stanivukovic_D and Minister @MKPBiH Forto, we launched the roll out of free public Wi-Fi in 116 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded by the EU 🇪🇺 and Germany 🇩🇪!

We frequently call on the authorities in BiH to use the available opportunities offered by the EU for the benefit of citizens. By being proactive, 116 municipalities have succeeded in joining over 7,000 local authorities across the continent who have free, reliable public wifi in squares, parks and museums.

The EU path is most of all about people, and across BiH, we see EU investments in schools, hospitals, roads, wind and solar farms, playgrounds etc.

It is not just a matter of investment and economic growth, is about what kind of country people want to live in.

We are bound together by history, values and geography. We are Europeans, and we should be united in the European Union.

Together with 11 EU Ambassadors and Embassies, we are happy to celebrate #EuropeDay in Banja Luka, a European city, with a European future!

#OurEuropeOurFuture

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

This is Europe!

As a continent with thousands of years of history, Europe is many things.

At the heart of both the defeat of fascism in Europe and the birth of the European project is one idea: freedom.

Last night, thousands of people — including a few Ambassadors! — celebrated freedom and a future in the EU at free #EuropeDay concerts in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.

In Sarajevo, they gathered in front of the Parliamentary Assembly building; in Banja Luka, on the roof of the House of Youth. In both cities, they celebrated the idea that there is more that unites us than divides us.

Our future is Europe!

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

#OurFutureOurEurope #ED2026

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

The European Film Days🎬in Banja Luka brings great films from across Europe - 🇨🇾🇩🇰🇮🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇳🇱🇸🇪- for free to audiences in the city until 16 May.

The EU was built on the idea that there is more that unites us than divides us. Connecting people through culture is one of Europe's greatest strengths!

Thank you to everyone who joined our opening night in Banja Luka tonight! Great atmosphere!

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Delighted to be in Banja Luka for #EuropeDay as part of our celebrations across BiH!

With Ambassadors and representatives of ten EU member states - 🇦🇹🇨🇿🇩🇰🇩🇪🇪🇸🇮🇪🇮🇹🇸🇰🇸🇪🇷🇴 - we are celebrating what unites us across our continent!

I was very glad to see so many people - particularly young people - at the "Night of Fortresses Goes Green" in Kastel. The fortress has been extensively renovated with 🇪🇺 support and today's event showed how heritage can be presented in an engaging way to new generations.

A big thank you to Mayor @Stanivukovic_D for the warm welcome!

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦

#ED2026 #OurFutureOurEurope

[Luigi Soreca @LSorecaEU]

Great energy at the opening of the "Future is the EU" Youth Summit around #EuropeDay 🇪🇺

80 young participants from 22 🇧🇦communities have come together to develop a joint vision for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path and future.

This youth-led process, initiated by the 🇪🇺 in BiH Youth Advisory Board, and supported by @eu_eeas and @eubih, has one clear goal - to deliver BiH young people’s vision directly to EU leadership.

The future is the EU, and tonight, it looks bright.

🇪🇺🤝🇧🇦