It is such a pleasure for me to be in Sarajevo at this historic moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina. But before I speak about this beautiful city and country, allow me to take you for one moment to the city where I was born and where I live. The city of Brussels. In the heart of Brussels, there is a piece of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a huge, colourful mural, painted by a young artist from Sarajevo – whose name is Rikardo Druškić. It brings light and joy from the Balkans into the grey Brussels weather. But beyond the beauty of it, the mural sends a clear message: It says that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a place in the heart of the European Union. You are part of Europe. You belong in our Union. And it was so moving to see the European flag shine on three landmark monuments in Sarajevo, in Banja Luka and in Mostar – to celebrate our proposal to make Bosnia and Herzegovina a candidate for EU membership. Because our flag will be your flag, too. It belongs in this country. And this is why I came here today. This is what I want to say to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Your future is Europe.
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And this is not primarily because of our proposal to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status. It is because the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deeply believe in Europe. Over three quarters of your citizens support EU membership. There is a solid majority in favour of it in all parts of the country. And this faith in Europe is even stronger among young people. For young people in this country, Europe means economic prosperity and freedom of movement. But it is not just that. The path towards our Union is also the path towards a better Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is about turning this country into the country of their dreams. There is an entire generation of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who are born after the war. They do not want their country to be defined and divided by its tragic past. They want a country that is united by a common sense of purpose. And membership to the European Union is part of that purpose. And you, the new leadership of this country, are the people who can make their dream come true. With your political work, the country has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move forward. This is Bosnia and Herzegovina's moment, and I would like to encourage everyone of you to seize this moment.
This is also the meaning of our recommendation to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The last four years have not been easy. Because of COVID-19, because of the war on Ukraine, because of deep political divisions. And yet, even in difficult circumstances, some progress has been made – on public procurement and in achieving membership of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. This should teach us all a very simple lesson: If there is a will, there is always a way. Now is the time for the country to come together once again, and advance on the path towards our Union. I will not dwell on the eight reform steps that we have outlined clearly in our recommendation. We all know that passing these reforms will not be easy. But I would invite you to always set your sights on what lies at the end of the path. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a country where everyone is equal before the law. A country where young people unfold their talent and hard work into success. They love their country. They want opportunities here. A country that is attractive for investors. A country where everyone feels represented – people who identify as Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, as well as people who just feel citizens of this country. The reforms do not only matter because they lead to our Union, they matter because they will make your country a better place for all its people.
