European Union immediately grants 20 million euros for reconstruction and recovery after floods

(Patria) - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen today held separate meetings with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto.

At the press conference, Krišto thanked Von der Leyen for her visit and friendly attitude towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. During yesterday, the European official visited the flooded area of Jablanica and promised assistance in reconstruction.

"I want to thank her for every form of support. Following the natural disasters, we activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism. We are working on preparing an application for the EU fund; there are deadlines and criteria to submit this application within the given timeframe. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina was offered direct assistance of 20 million euros. For that, I sincerely thank you," said Krišto.

They also discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina's obligations on the EU path.

"We have faced certain difficulties, including the functioning of institutions, but these were also related to the campaign itself. However, we continue to work diligently and responsibly. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been working and fulfilling its obligations. Regarding the agreement with Frontex, it is ready for signing and initialing. The same applies to Eurojust. We also reflected on the times we are in. We are aware of our responsibility and obligations, and we will work on the laws concerning the Court, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, personal data protection, and the Election Law. As for these laws, they have been completed at the level of ministries and working groups. I believe this is a matter of political will and that we will soon submit them to the parliamentary procedure," said Krišto.

She announced the appointment of a chief negotiator and two deputies, as this cannot be the director of the Directorate for European Integration.

"Two measures in the Growth Plan have not been agreed upon. Regarding the Constitutional Court and the Competition Council and the State Aid Council. I informed the EU about this. We have been informed that three additional measures await us. These measures relate to the visa regime, the fight against crime and corruption, and budget monitoring," said Krišto.

Von der Leyen expressed condolences to all families of flood victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Europe stands with you and will support you. The European Civil Protection Mechanism reacted immediately because you are a candidate country, and many states responded promptly. We believe you need help immediately, which is why we decided to allocate 20 million euros for reconstruction and recovery," said Von der Leyen.

She emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has progressed to candidate status but still has work to do in meeting the conditions.

"We know you are working on key laws related to fundamental EU principles and values, such as democracy and the rule of law. I am fully confident that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to move towards EU membership. Your country has repeatedly proven that you can be productive when you move, speak, and work as one," she stated.

She added that her second term will also focus on EU enlargement, saying that "all conditions for this are met," and that she will work diligently on this as President of the European Commission. She also mentioned two important initiatives for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"The first is the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. It is our roadmap to integrate parts of your economy into the EU single market and your path to that single market through specific sectors, so that companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina can gain access. For this, we need reforms to ensure equal conditions, and with these reforms comes additional EU funding for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I know you are committed to this, so I want to say that we are ready to help you finalize the Growth Plan. I believe Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves this opportunity," she added.

The second, as Von der Leyen continued, is also related to funding, called the "investment plan" for the Western Balkans, which has been active for four years.

"This plan has mobilized as much as 3 billion euros in investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, most notably in green energy. The EU has a plan to be 'climate neutral' by 2050, and if we want you to be our member, we must work on this issue. I already see that more than 30 percent of energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina comes from water and wind, and we are now working on new projects to increase that figure. These include a wind farm on Vlašić and in the West Herzegovina Canton. Together, they would have the capacity to supply energy to 100,000 households," said the President of the European Commission.

Von der Leyen also spoke about other investments, such as railway construction, and stated that she "shares the vision" that Bosnia and Herzegovina will become an EU member.