Dubravka Kobas Lucic, Head of COREPER II at Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the EU's decision to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina a major step forward.

“We fully support you. While progress may seem slow, this decision is significant. The next step requires reforms, which are achievable, and we believe they will happen quickly,” she told a group of BiH journalists visiting Croatia to learn about EU membership benefits.

Lucic emphasized that negotiations are a marathon, not a sprint, citing Croatia's own transformative journey during the process. She highlighted Croatia’s access to €25 billion in EU funds over the first decade of membership and its involvement in shaping policies for 500 million people.

Lucic stressed the importance of a committed negotiation structure, inclusiveness, and clear decision-making processes. She identified justice reforms and competition policy as key challenges for Croatia during its EU accession, adding that environmental protection standards were also demanding but well-supported by the EU.

Croatia’s accession to Schengen and the Eurozone has strengthened its political and economic position, she concluded, underscoring the importance of unity and integration in today’s geopolitical climate.