EU membership key for BiH’s economic development, underlines Croatian Ambassador Del Vechio

The EU Info Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina organised a panel discussion on the topic “Croatia’s experience and interest as the newest EU member state” with the Ambassador of Croatia to BiH, H....

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The EU Info Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina organised a panel discussion on the topic “Croatia’s experience and interest as the newest EU member state” with the Ambassador of Croatia to BiH, H. E. Mr. Ivan Del Vechio, in Tuzla on 23 November 2015.

Civil society representatives, the business community, academia and other local stakeholders participating in the discussion used the opportunity to gather valuable insights about Croatia’s EU integration process that could be applied in BiH along the country’s path towards joining the EU.

Ambassador Del Vechio emphasised the importance of the adoption of the Reform Agenda by the BiH authorities and thus their takeover of the accession process. “In my view, the adoption of the Reform Agenda is the most important step for the country since for the first time local authorities took over the ownership of the EU integration process of the country,” Ambassador Del Vechio said.

Among others, Ambassador Del Vechio pointed out the increase of direct foreign investments as one of the most important benefits of Croatia’s EU membership. Answering questions from the audience, the Ambassador agreed that regional cooperation was crucial for the future development of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its EU integration process.

“We, the countries in the region, have to work together and use our advantages to create synergies, especially in the sector of transport and tourism,” the Ambassador stated. He concluded the discussion by pointing out that the adoption of sectoral strategies should be one of the priorities of BiH authorities in order to utilise current and future EU funds available for BiH.

The event in Tuzla was the first in a series of panel discussions of EU Member States’ Ambassadors and civil society representatives, business community, academia and local stakeholders involved in the EU integration process, that the EU Info Centre will organise across BiH.