Bosnia and Herzegovina can be moderately optimistic when it comes to the European Union's enlargement to the Western Balkans, said Bosnia Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic said on Wednesday at Brdo kod Kranja in Slovenia, which hosts the European Union-Western Balkans summit. He said Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to its European path despite all challenges.

According to Komsic, there was certain resistance about the EU enlargement, even a possibility of excluding it from the declaration that was prepared for the summit.

“I asked (European Commission President) Ursula von der Leyen when she was in Sarajevo not to do that, knowing my importance in all that story, and she has told me now: ‘You insisted on it and this word remained’,” said the Presidency Chairman.

Some interesting discussions and fierce reactions marked the summit, especially in the Albania-Bulgaria relations over the status of North Macedonia, according to Komsic.

Speaking at a plenary session during the summit, Komsic said that the enlargement will make sense only if it means establishing European values and principles in the Western Balkans.

“I share your opinion that, in light of the European values, the main activity of the Western Balkan countries, which means Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, should focus on the development of full and stable democracy, protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms, all through the rule of law,” he said.

Despite the challenges and political interferences of the third parties, Komsic stressed, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to its European path.

“I call on the European Union member states to preserve the process of European integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina as the sovereign and independent country of equal citizens, who need to see their future in their country,” said Komsic, adding that he hopes the EU will not give up on its own values, principles and standards in all countries of the region, because it could leave long-term consequences in the Union itself.

Bosnia Presidency Chairman also expressed support for the economic connectivity in the region, which is based on the EU's fundamental principles.

The EU leaders gathered on Tuesday evening in an informal dinner ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit on Wednesday which was chaired by European Council Chairman Charles Michel.