EU to improve road connections with BiH and region: EU's Tusk

SARAJEVO - The European Union (EU) will aim to improve the road connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the region, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said after meeting with the members of BiH tripartite presidency here on Thursday.

BiH will be a "part of the transport arteries of a re-united Europe, helping to connect Mediterranean regions with Central European regions," said Tusk.

While underlining the importance of the EU-Western Balkans summit to be held in Bulgarian capital of Sofia on May 17, Tusk said the improvement of road infrastructure and connections, human and digital, will connect the Balkans and the EU.

According to Tusk, EU is the biggest investor and trading partner of the whole region, including BiH.

"More than 70 percent of your exports go to the EU," said Tusk.

The Chairman of BiH Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic said that the EU-Western Balkans summit represents a historic opportunity for sending strong political messages regarding the European perspective of the countries of the region.

Tusk's meeting in BiH's capital is part of his tour of Balkan countries prior to Sofia summit which will reaffirm the EU's commitment towards the Western Balkans and repeat its belonging to the European family.