Head of the EU Delegation to B&H and the EU Special Representative in B&H, Ambassador Johann Sattler, said in Sarajevo today that the question is not whether, but when the countries of the Western Balkans will become part of the EU.
At the opening of the panel discussion "Initiative, Engagement, Enthusiasm – Strengthening Democracy in B&H and the Region through Civic Activism”, Sattler said that it was a clear message of yesterday's visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- There is a tradition of civic activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, and that is why it is important to include those voices in the debate on the future of Europe - said Sattler.
President of the Association "Sharp Zero" from Banja Luka, Milica Pralica, pointed out that in order to reach EU standards, it is necessary for citizens to start educating themselves about their civil rights and what they can do regarding corruption and nepotism.
Activist of the "Let's not let Belgrade drown" movement, Dobrica Veselinović, said that this region has much more to offer than flourishing of nationalism, and that is optimism, hope and rising up against injustice and the problems of future.
The panel discussion gathered representatives of civil society from B&H and the region to exchange best practices, ideas and challenges in the field of civic engagement and explore ways to integrate it into the policy-making process.