Check against delivery.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Danube Commission for organizing this important event, the Brčko Port for hosting it, and to all those who have supported this gathering and this crucial infrastructure project.
The strategic significance of this country—and indeed the Brčko District—in the broader European context is too often underappreciated by local stakeholders. This is a mistake. The European Union has clearly recognized the important role the Western Balkans play in integrating and managing one of Europe’s key trade arteries—the Rhine-Danube transport corridor. This realization must guide our actions and our commitments moving forward.
Brčko, as you know, holds the perfect location for a transport hub, positioned along the navigable Sava waterway and at the intersection of vital rail and road corridors. Located at the tripoint between the economies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, Brčko can be the primary outlet for dynamic microregions such as Tuzla and Bijeljina, linking them directly to the EU market.
The significance of holding this high-level gathering in Brčko cannot be overstated. It reaffirms the region’s potential, and it sends a clear message. Decisions made here will not only affect this city or this country—they will shape the future of the entire region and play a part in European trade corridors. Those who hold the reins to set the agenda and the pace for further projects are the local representatives.
All of us in this room know what must be done to achieve the Port’s full potential. The final leg of the modernization project must be finished on time. The demining of the riverbanks must be done on schedule in order to proceed with the dredging of the riverbed. The existing bridge must be revitalized, and the planning for new road connections must be finalized. Environmental efforts currently underway to reduce pollution in the Sava River must be completed, and the District must fulfill its obligations under existing public-private partnerships to prove its capability in attracting further investment.
International partners stand ready to offer support—whether through experience, expertise, or resources. My office, as always, remains fully committed to providing any assistance necessary to push this work forward. However, real progress, the actual groundwork, must happen here, with the local leadership taking ownership.
I wish you all a productive workshop and fruitful discussions. It is a privilege to see so many key figures gathered here with a unified vision for Brčko and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Let us seize this opportunity to pave the way for a more prosperous future.
Thank you.
