The international community must firmly support the preservation of peace and stability, while domestic authorities work to strengthen the functionality of institutions and accelerate reform processes. Bosnia and Herzegovina, like other Western Balkan countries that are not yet members of the European Union, should take advantage of the changing circumstances in Europe to advance their path towards EU membership, said High Representative Christian Schmidt at the IDU Forum 2026 in Zagreb, where he participated in a panel discussion entitled “The Forgotten Frontier: The Western Balkans and Europe’s Unfinished Promise”.

The High Representative also met with regional and international officials during the Forum, reaffirming strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration, as well as continued commitment to strengthening cooperation between BiH and the Member States of the European Union, the OHR announced at X.