BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Deputy Foreign
Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Josip Brkić, participated
on October 9–10, 2025, in Szeged, Hungary, at a meeting of Western
Balkan and Hungarian ministers, held in the format of ministers for
European affairs and chief advisors (Sherpa), Trend reports.
During the plenary session titled Multiannual Financial
Framework and the Accession of the Western Balkans, Deputy
Minister Brkić emphasized the importance of the European Union’s
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), not only as a financial but
also as a political instrument that clearly outlines the EU’s
future priorities, particularly in the areas of foreign relations
and enlargement. He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a
candidate country, remains committed to fulfilling its obligations
in order to gain access to EU funds, which are of great importance
for its further progress.
He also highlighted the Western Balkans Growth Plan, which
provides an additional €6 billion in support for implementing
reforms and investments in the Western Balkan countries. He
stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina recognizes the strategic
importance of this plan and sees it as an opportunity to accelerate
its European path.
In this context, he recalled that the Council of Ministers of
Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted the Reform Agenda and the list
of reforms, representing a concrete step toward more effective use
of available EU resources on the country’s European path. He also
emphasized the significance of the new EU Multiannual Financial
Framework 2028–2034 as a strategic response to the geopolitical
situation, aiming to strengthen European sovereignty, increase
competitiveness, and build resilience.
During the plenary session, Deputy Minister Brkić stated that
Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the fact that enlargement policy
and external action remain among the EU’s key priorities. He noted
that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a candidate country, actively
utilizes available EU funds and instruments to implement reforms
and fulfill obligations that bring it closer to membership. He
emphasized that this focus on enlargement policy further promotes
reforms within Bosnia and Herzegovina and confirms the shared
commitment to the region’s European perspective, which is both
achievable and concrete.