Marta Kos arrives for a multi-day visit to BiH today

(Patria) - European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina from September 21 to 24, with the aim of highlighting European support for the country's future as an EU member.

In light of the European Council's decision of March 2024, which gave the green light for the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commissioner will encourage the authorities to take all relevant steps to hold the long-awaited first intergovernmental conference, and emphasize the importance of BiH not missing the unique opportunity offered by the Western Balkans Growth Plan.

The visit also comes ahead of the publication of the annual enlargement package later in the year, which will report on BiH's progress on its path to the EU, the EU Delegation in BiH's Communications Department announced.

On Monday, September 22, Commissioner Kos will meet with members of the Presidency of BiH and the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto, as well as the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH Irena Hadžiabdić.

The Commissioner will also visit Brus, where, together with Mayor Bojo Gašanović, she will tour a playground and a health clinic funded by EU funds, and meet with local hiking associations and youth.

The Commissioner will also attend the signing ceremony of the contract at the City Hall in Sarajevo for the construction of the new Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art, funded through the EU4Culture program.

On Tuesday, September 23, Commissioner Kos will open the conference "Critical Voices Under Pressure" at Europe House in Sarajevo, and participate in an event with youth and athletes from BiH, including Amel Tuka, organized by the Olympic Committee of BiH as part of the 10th European Week of Sport in Visoko.

In Visoko, Commissioner Kos will also meet with Mayor Mirza Ganić, as well as city councilors.

She will also visit the municipality of Vareš, which is part of the project "Strengthening Trust and Cohesion in Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina – We Can Do Better", funded by the EU, and implemented in cooperation with the United Nations in BiH, the OSCE Mission to BiH, and the Council of Europe Office in BiH.

On Wednesday, September 24, Commissioner Kos will address the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the visit, Commissioner Kos will also meet with representatives of civil society organizations, media representatives, local communities, influential women in business, and youth from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.