The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the EU Info Centre, marked this year’s Europe Day with a number of events throughout the country.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark hosted all events.

The central event, a gala reception, was held on 9 May 2016 at the Sarajevo City Hall, a beautiful cultural heritage monument and a symbol of the meeting of civilisations. Addressing the audience, Ambassador Wigemark commended the positive developments in BiH over the past year.

‘’There have been many positive developments over the past year. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU finally entered into force on the 1st of June last year and an ambitious Reform Agenda was agreed together with the International Financial Institutions. Many important economic and social reforms are underway and the first phase of the Reform Agenda may come to a close in a few months. After years of stalemate, BiH is back on track for EU membership’’, said Ambassador Wigemark.

The Europe week celebrations continued with the 12 May reception in Banja Luka, at the Kastel Fortress, one of the oldest and most significant monuments in BiH and the region. Also, in Banja Luka more than 2000 young people enjoyed the concert of “Zoster”,the Mostar-based rock band.

The “Zoster” also played in Mostar, on 16 May following the EU reception for representatives of the local public, media and cultural life.

The Europe Day is celebrated every year on May 9 to mark the anniversary of the historical ‘Schuman Declaration’ that set out the underlying principles which the EU has been built on. It is an occasion to celebrate the EU’s achievements – lasting peace, economic cooperation and border-free travel.