Mr. Osman Topcagic, Director of the BiH Directorate for European Integration, and Mr. Denis Hadzavic, Director of the Centre for Security Studies, also presided over the event, which brought together Ambassadors from EU Member, representatives of non-governmental organisations and members of the press.

The new Centre is one of four throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, with three others already opened in Banja Luka, Brcko and Mostar. The centres provide citizens with a source of quick and reliable information on the European Union and its assistance programme in BiH.

The opening ceremony was held in the framework of celebrations surrounding the 50^th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which marked the beginnings of the Union we know today: on 25 March 1957, six countries – Belgium, West Germany, France, Italy, Luxemburg and the Netherlands -established the European Economic Community (EEC).

Ambassador Kourkoulas stressed that the Info Centres are a joint project with the BiH Directorate for European Integration and could not be implemented without their participation. He explained the European Union’s success story, which brought peace and an unparalleled level of prosperity to the initial Member States and all those which subsequently joined. Integrating new members was part of the plan form the beginning and both the EU Members States and EU Institutions have expressed their commitment to further enlargement. He expressed his hope that BiH and the Western Balkans, which face similar challenges to those of the EU founders fifty years ago, can follow on the same path.

Mr. Topcagic stated that it is appropriate that BiH is joining in the celebrations of the EU’s 50^th anniversary, as BiH wants to join the European family. He highlighted that the current period in relations with the EU should not be seen as a period of waiting. Until the SAA is signed, BiH should prepare for the challenges ahead, first of all by becoming well informed and learning about and from the EU. He welcomed the opening of the Info Centre, which will provide the public with the means to do so.

Mr. Resicwelcomed the EU’s recognition of the fact that Stari Grad Municipality is at the heart of this multi-cultural city and an appropriate location for the new Centre.

The EU has provided 500,000 euro for the four EU Info Centres and twelve planned Info Points, which will be opened in Zenica, Foca, Gorazde, Bihac, Jajce, Doboj, Bijeljina, Tuzla, Modrica, Neum, Trebinje and Livno.