“I am glad to be here in Sarajevo today, on such an important day, when Bosnia and Herzegovina is taking a new step towards its European future. I would like to congratulate the people and the leaders of the country for this.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has worked hard on achieving this result.

I must say throughout the SAA negotiations, which finished one year ago, the Commission was impressed by the country’s negotiation capacity.   It was the political conditions that proved harder to meet.

The Agreement we initialled today brings concrete benefits to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It provides for the establishment of a free trade area and for the strengthening of the ties between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thus bringing economic benefits to the country. The SAA is also the gateway to candidate status, provided the Agreement is properly implemented.

Today we have a moment to celebrate, because Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves to take this new step. It deserves it on the technical merits but also because of satisfactory progress in meeting the political conditions. Yesterday, I reached an understanding with the political leaders on the way ahead to ensure implementation of police reform in accordance with EU principles.

I encourage Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leaders to build on the positive momentum that has now been created, and take the next steps to deliver on the EU integration agenda.”