Check against delivery!  

Thank you and good evening, everybody, dear members of the Presidency. 

It is a pleasure to be here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, although I would [have] liked to be [here] under different circumstances. We just had a very frank and open exchange - as you can see from this interventions as well - about the current situation. 

I just want to emphasise few points. I can assure you that [the] EU is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path as well as the security and stability of the region. 

The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the cornerstone of peace here and it must be respected. Any actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order or state institutions are dangerous and unacceptable. In particular, recent legislation and initiatives in the Republika Srpska entity undermined the work of this country's institution and the delivery of public services. 

They also threaten fundamental freedoms of all citizens. We welcome the public officials, judges and police officers [who] have resisted political pressure to withdraw from the state level institutions.   

At the end of the day, the ordinary people are the ones who suffer when the work of law enforcement and judicial institutions is attacked. So, let me underline here that the European Union is committed to your country's safety, stability and prosperity.  

Earlier today, I visited [the] European Union troops. Operation EUFOR Althea is a clear demonstration that the EU stands ready to ensure peace and stability.

Our readiness to support you is why we swiftly increased the number of troops here last month in response to the political crisis. The safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be jeopardised.  

In my discussions here today, I have stressed also that the political leaders must work to bridge the division, not to deepen them. You bear the responsibility for finding a solution out of the current crisis. Political instability also prevents progress on your path to joining the European Union, and this is where your citizens really want to be. With few certain achievable steps that we also pointed out today, the country will be able to formally open accession negotiations soon.  

There are no shortcuts to European Union membership but the door to Bosnia and Herzegovina is open. There is no way to become a Member of European Union without the full respect for the rule of law and without functioning institutions that represent the country as a whole.   

EU membership and the reform process bring countless benefits and opportunities for the citizens. Moreover, the faster Bosnia and Herzegovina adopts the necessary reforms, the sooner international intervention can also be phased out.  

Finally, I want to stress that Bosnia and Herzegovina can count on the EU strong support. The doors to the European Union are wide open, but you need to take the right steps to get over the threshold. Your sovereignty and territorial integrity are fundamental to the region's security and stability.  

Thank you again for this open and frank exchange. Thank you for having me here today. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270620