Six regional public debates titled “Meet the Changes”, organized by the Office of EU Special Representative in BiH, have been held in BiH towns bordering Croatia: Bihac, Brcko, Orasje, Livno, Capljina and Gradiska through late June and July. The goal of the debates was to introduce changes that Croatia’s accession to the EU brings to BiH in the areas of trade, export and border regime but also to create a forum for local people to give their opinion on how these changes are affecting their everyday lives.
Besides experts from the EUD/EUSR, the panels at the debates were composed of a Croatian embassy in BiH representative, other EU member state embassy representative, local stakeholders and representatives of relevant municipal, cantonal, entity and state-level institutions.
Major issues raised during the debates were the perceived insufficient number of border crossings, whether there could be more Border Inspection Points and the new regime on border transit and border passes. A general remark made by debaters was that Croatia’s accession provides a great opportunity and opens new perspectives for BiH, but also that the BiH institutions at all levels failed to prepare the country for the arrival of EU on its borders and now need to catch up.
