Stier, along with members of the delegation, visited BiH and met with the country's top political leaders. In an interview with Sarajevo's Oslobođenje, the Croatian MEP said he and his fellow MEPs want BiH to remain high on the agenda of European institutions.

Given the current circumstances, where the security of the European continent is at risk due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Western Balkans is becoming increasingly significant, Stier said.

“After Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, enlargement is back on the agenda. One has realised that it is not just a bureaucratic process but has strategic, geopolitical importance. The focus is, of course, on Ukraine, but part of the role of the EP delegation is to remind European institutions that we have unfinished business in the Western Balkans. In this context, it is important for BiH to receive our support,” Stier was quoted as saying.

He said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin who chose confrontation with the EU and has been using tensions in the Western Balkans to destabilise the EU.

Stier noted that the EP delegation will continue to push for enlargement, though he stressed that the EU must insist on adherence to criteria.

It’s essential to recognise and reward the forces in BiH that genuinely advocate for the country's European perspective, he said.

Stier believes Croatia's experiences could greatly benefit BiH, especially the consensus on European issues shared by both government and opposition. “It is not just one party or segment entering the EU, but society and the state as a whole.”