Undersecretary Tripodi on mission to Sarajevo meets Deputy Foreign Minister Brkić and visits the EUFOR Althea contingent

Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi was on mission to Sarajevo today, where she met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkić. The discussions focused on the strategic priority of the European Union's enlargement to the Western Balkans, the strengthening of bilateral relations, and Italy's support for full respect for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Significant attention was devoted to economic cooperation and the "growth diplomacy" agenda, with particular emphasis on trade and investment. Undersecretary Tripodi reiterated that Italy considers economic growth an essential factor for the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a key driver of its European integration process. "EU enlargement to Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a geostrategic investment in Europe's security," Tripodi stated, recalling Italy's engagement through technical assistance instruments (TAIEX), administrative cooperation programs (Twinning), legal diplomacy, and recent cooperation with ANAC in the field of anti-corruption. Italy's strong support for the reform process was also reaffirmed, as a necessary condition to strengthen institutions and enable tangible progress along the EU accession path.

On the margins of the visit, the Undersecretary met with the Italian contingent deployed as part of the EUFOR Althea mission. "We are deeply proud of your commendable contribution," Tripodi stressed, expressing the Government's gratitude and satisfaction with the Italian leadership that will assume command of the mission in the coming weeks under Major General Maurizio Fronda.