Remarks to media in Tuzla by Ambassador Luigi Soreca on 12 November 2025
Thank you first to our hosts, to Prime Minister Halilagić and Speaker Vujovic for welcoming us today. Being in Tuzla today with my colleagues, I want to start by reiterating our deepest condolences personally, and on behalf of the European Union, for the tragic fire last week at the nursing home here in Tuzla. This morning, with my colleague Ambassadors, we paid tribute to the victims at the nursing home, laying flowers in front of the building. We spoke today with the Prime Minister and the Speaker about this horrific event. I know how much this tragedy has affected people in Tuzla and in Bosnia-Herzegovina as a whole. I would like to thank all those who were involved in the rescue effort, but also those from the hospital staff who are attending still to the victims.
We also discussed the reports of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in the care system of Tuzla. And I said that these reports are truly shocking. Our thoughts are with the victims of abuse. I'm glad to hear that the police and prosecutors in Tuzla Canton are treating this case as a top priority.
We had a wide-ranging discussion with the Prime Minister and Speaker on many subjects related to EU integration, and the role of the local community in EU integration. But we focused, in particular, on energy transition and energy efficiency today.
I'm delighted that I participated in the signature by EBRD Director [Mateo Colangeli, Regional Director for the Western Balkans] and the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton of this grant agreement which will finance energy efficiency in [approximately] a hundred and eighty public buildings in Tuzla Canton. These buildings are schools, local health care institutions, sports halls. More than twelve thousand people will benefit from this investment. Let me say that this is what the European Union is about. To be close to the local community, to help them live a better life. So I'm very, very honoured that the European Union today has invested 2.7 million euro in grants in Tuzla Canton [for energy efficiency measures].
I often say that European Union is about the people, and we are proud to support people in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We will continue to stand with them in this country and work to support tangible improvements that bring the country closer to a future in the European Union where BiH belongs.
EU in BiH |
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