Bosnia's prime minister, Zoran Tegeltija, talked in Brussels with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood, Oliver Vsrhelyi, on Wednesday, about the current situation caused by the covid-19 pandemic in BiH and the region, as well as the European integration process.

On this occasion, the Council of Ministers Chairman Tegeltija informed Commissioner Vsrhelyi about the epidemiological situation in the country and emphasized the importance of accelerated vaccination of the population in order to stop the spread of the pandemic and start the socio-economic recovery as soon as possible, pointing to the need for better dynamics and more equal vaccine delivery.

“During the meeting, which also touched upon the process of European integration, Tegeltija pointed out that the European path has no alternative, and that he highly appreciates Commissioner Vsrhelyi's personal engagement and efforts in providing support in achieving progress in BiH,” the Council of Ministers said in a statement.

The statement adds that Tegeltija emphasized that granting Bosnia the candidate status for EU membership would be a good message and a motivational impulse for the citizens of BiH that the EU has serious intentions regarding the continuation of the accession process.

“It was jointly assessed that all levels of government, while respecting the rules of the harmonized coordination mechanism, should make additional efforts for faster and more efficient implementation of reform processes, in order to accelerate BiH's European path. The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on other current topics, such as the issue of migration and the improvement of regional cooperation,” the Council of Ministers said.

During his stay in Brussels, the BiH prime minister will also talk with the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak. Tegeltija previously met with Paolo Rangel, Vice President of the European People’s Party.