The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Working Group on relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina held its second meeting today in Brčko District, focusing on the contribution of local and regional authorities to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path and on the key crucial role of local self-government in the accession process.
The meeting brought together members of the CoR, state and entity authorities, local leaders from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, and representatives of EU institutions. Discussions centred on strengthening local capacities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing coordination between different levels of government to accelerate reforms on the road to the European Union.
Csaba Borboly (EPP/RO), Vice-President of the Harghita County Council and Chair of the CoR Working Group on relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, praised Brčko’s internal coordination and its capacity to turn European integration into concrete local projects.
“By coming to Brčko today, we are sending a clear message: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future will be built from the local level up. Brčko has shown that when communities join forces, they can rise above divisions and deliver stability, reforms and economic opportunities for their citizens. Our Working Group will continue to serve as a bridge between local and regional leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU institutions in Brussels, ensuring that local needs are heard also during the accession process and that EU support reaches communities on the ground,” said Mr Borboly.
In Brčko, Mr Borboly also presented the Mayor with a CoR Medal, as a symbolic recognition of the District’s role in fostering inter-community cooperation and contributing to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective.
Brčko Mayor Siniša Milić underlined the District’s role as a stable and functional local community that can serve as an example in the European integration process, stressing the importance of institutional stability and respect for constitutional procedures.
“Brčko has been recognised as a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina that has made real strides – from creating conditions for economic development to implementing reforms. Political stability is a prerequisite for all our plans, and in this segment Brčko stands out as one of the more stable areas. It is crucial to build trust in institutions and adhere to constitutional and legal procedures, because without institutional authority there is no progress at either the local or state level,” Mayor Milić said.
The President of the Brčko District Assembly, Damir Bulčević, focused on infrastructure and connectivity as key drivers of growth, notably the revitalisation of the Brčko Port and the strategic importance of the Sava River.
“Our task in the coming period, together with the state level, is to take advantage of the benefits that lie ahead. The project to revitalise the Brčko Port was a significant step and we must not stop there. The purification of the Sava River bed is of strategic importance for all countries through which it flows, because it will bring economic benefits not only to Bosnia and Herzegovina but also to EU Member States. This is one of the key projects we must work on to strengthen our economy and provide businesses with more favourable transport,” Mr Bulčević underlined.
On behalf of the European Union, Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted the central role of local communities in meeting European standards and in delivering reforms that tangibly improve citizens’ lives.
He recalled that the EU is providing substantial financial support to Brčko District, including more than EUR 3 million for the modernisation of the Brčko Port and over EUR 8 million for the demining of the Sava riverbank, enabling safer navigation and opening new development opportunities.
“Brčko has a lot to contribute and it is important that we discuss the role of local governments and their cooperation with the European Committee of the Regions, which in Brussels represents the interests of cities and regions in the European process. Brčko is leading by example in many areas and its efforts are significantly contributing to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards the EU. With its potential and location along the Sava River, the District can truly be a centre of development. The European Union will remain a committed partner of local communities in implementing reforms,” Mr Babajide stressed.
Also speaking at the meeting, Patrik Schwarcz-Kiefer (EPP/HU), Member of the County Council of Baranya Vármegye and member of the European Committee of the Regions, underlined that reforms must be owned by Bosnia and Herzegovina itself, while stressing the support of EU local and regional authorities: “Of course, it is essential to implement the necessary reforms for a successful accession to the European Union – but these reforms must be carried out by the political leaders and decision-makers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We, as local and regional authorities from the EU, also want to contribute. By deepening partnerships between our municipalities, we can help show citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina in very concrete ways why it is good to be part of the EU.”
The second part of the meeting was devoted to a thematic debate on “Local development as a driver of EU integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
Participants underlined that local and regional authorities are on the frontline of reform – from modernising public services and improving infrastructure, to promoting social cohesion and cross-border cooperation. They called for stronger coordination between state, entity, cantonal and local levels to avoid overlapping responsibilities and to ensure consistent implementation of EU-related reforms.
In his closing remarks, Chair Borboly reiterated the CoR’s readiness to deepen institutional cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina through the future establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) between the CoR and representatives of local and regional authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary procedural steps are completed.
The meeting concluded with a study visit to the International Port of Brčko and a tribute at the Monument to the Civilian Victims of the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the European Union’s and the CoR’s commitment to peace, reconciliation and shared prosperity in the region.