In the presence of distinguished guests, representatives of BiH authorities and international community, Mr. Michael Leigh, Director General of the EC Directorate General for Enlargement and Mr. Haris Silajdžić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, officially inaugurated new premises of the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on Wednesday, June 04 2008.
In his welcoming address, Head of the EC Delegation, Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas reminded the guests that the first office of the European Commission in BiH was opened in 1996, few weeks after the Dayton Peace Agreement had been signed. “Today this office with almost 100 staff members is one of the biggest Commission Delegations in the world”, said Ambassador Kourkoulas adding that the main objective of the European Commission was to “assist the country in fulfilling the requirements for a full integration into the EU.” Having explained some main characteristics of the new building, Ambassador Kourkoulas concluded his speech addressing Mr. Silajdžić: “Please consider this house not just as a friendly diplomatic mission but as your partner in the challenging road which will make BiH a part of our family.”
Mr. Leigh opened his address by noting that according to his brief experience, the new building had two characteristics: transparency and light. “I hope it will characterise our relations from now on” said Mr. Leigh. Reflecting the symbolic of the moment for BiH in the light of signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, Mr. Leigh emphasised that it was not only the main but the first contractual step necessary to be taken along the path towards the European Union membership. “For me the SAA is the emblematic of the seriousness of the commitment of the EU that the destiny of this country is the membership in the European Union.
Mr. Silajdžić commended both the European Union and the European Commission Delegation for all the support provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU membership and expressed his belief that this act symbolised the continuation of cooperation between BiH and EU within the European Partnership. “Forthcoming signing of the SAA is giving us hope to gain the Candidate Status by 2010.” said Mr. Silajdžić and outlined the necessity for BiH to double its efforts in order to fulfil all the requirements on its EU path. “This Agreement also guarantees that values of a multiethnic society will be cherished together with the idea of the tolerance and coexistence, the ideas that are fundamental values of the EU but original values of Bosnia and Herzegovina too.” concluded Mr. Silajdžić.
After their addresses, by cutting the blue ribbon, Mr. Leigh and Mr. Silajdžić officially inaugurated the new building of the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
About the Building
EC Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina occupies 2800m2 of office space and 1200m2 of meeting rooms, conference rooms, archives and common space. The construction started in December 2006 and was finalised in January 2008. The building complies to the highest EC standards and norms of safety and security. The building will soon host the office of the EUSR and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
