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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Everyone in region can only benefit from Open Balkans

Belgrade/Jahorina, 27 April 2022

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that our country had a total trade exchange of €2.5 billion with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska last year.

At the final panel "Regional Cooperation and Economic Development" at the Jahorina Economic Forum 2022, Brnabic expressed confidence that the prospects for cooperation are much better because, in addition to Telekom, EPS now plans to enter as an investor through the Buk Bijela hydroelectric power plant with over €200 million as part of the hydroelectric power plant system, which also includes Foca and Pauci.

We expect that the government in Bosnia and Herzegovina will recognise this project as a job of special importance, because EPS enters this project like any other investor and should have such treatment, Brnabic pointed out.

She added that EPS and Serbia will become the largest investor in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska with this project.

Along with that project, there is also the construction of the Trebinje airport and other similar jobs in terms of importance and scope, something we have not had so far, which open the possibility for additional projects and cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasised.

According to her, if the entire Western Balkans were included in the Open Balkans, we would increase GDP in the region by seven percent, which is unbelievable.

I cannot understand that some partners from the Western Balkans do not want to be part of this project, but I expect that they will do so at the end of this and the beginning of next year when the benefits of cooperation between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania are seen, she said.

She expressed the expectation that the pressure of citizens from the region on politicians will be so great that they will decide to join, because, as she said, there is no harm from the Open Balkans, but only benefits.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the Open Balkans was supported by Republika Srpska President Zeljka Cvijanovic and Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic, who are also participating in the panel.