Bosnia and Herzegovina expects opening of accession talks with the European Union swiftly, Bosnian prime minister Borjana Kristo told the attendees first regional Ministerial Meeting on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans on Monday, stressing that talks and meetings on the future of EU are of exceptional importance for all Western Balkan countries including BiH.

Speaking via video link, the Chairwoman of Bosnia's Council of Ministers said everyone was aware of the importance of dialogue and close cooperation both within the region and with the EU.

“The fact that we have such high level of agreement and even a consensus when it comes to the upgrade and implementation of a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is another encouragement and incentive for all of us to continue the work. The future of our region depends primarily on our readiness to resume the cooperation that will enable us to seek compromises for permanent and sustainable solutions,” she said.

Kristo stressed that the time lying ahead needs to be seen as a “historic opportunity” that would unable the improvement domestic economies and as a toll that would help the process of accelerated accession to the EU, “which is exceptionally important to us in BiH.”

“We anticipate the swift opening of negotiations,” she added.

Kristo also apologised for not attending the event in person as she is hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as prime ministers of Croatia and The Netherlands in Sarajevo on Monday and Tuesday.