Speaking at a regional conference on EU policies and the 2028–2034 financial perspective, Zovko discussed the geopolitical importance of enlargement, BiH's EU membership prospects and the opportunities provided by EU financial instruments to implement reforms, develop infrastructure and improve citizens' quality of life.
She said the EU was not only BiH's political but also its most important financial partner. Through IPA III, BiH received more than €309 million in grants and technical assistance for 2021–2024, while a further €140.5m in grants was made available for 2025–2027.
"This means more than €449m through IPA III for 2021–2027, intended for reforms, strengthening institutions, infrastructure development and citizens' concrete needs. However, it is not enough to look only at how much funding has been allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina overall. We need to know where the money ends up, which communities benefit from it and whether some parts of the country are systematically underrepresented," Zovko said.
She stressed the importance of transparent and balanced territorial distribution of EU funds and greater involvement of cantons, cities and municipalities in shaping and implementing European policies.
"Cantons, cities and municipalities must not be merely the end beneficiaries of European policies and funds. They must be involved from the moment priorities are defined, not only after strategies have been drawn up and funds allocated. If we want citizens to have confidence in the European process, they must see its tangible results in their local communities," she said.
As the Parliament's IPA III rapporteur, Zovko has previously asked the European Commission for data on the territorial distribution of funding in BiH. In particular, she asked what share of pre-accession assistance had been allocated to projects in Central Bosnia and West Herzegovina cantons, and what the largest projects financed in those cantons were and how much they received.
She also recalled that the Parliament's latest report on BiH calls for better use of IPA III funding, including at local and regional level, and stronger capacity among reform coordinators at entity and local level. Promoting local and regional governance and improving the administrative and planning capacities of local and regional authorities are also among IPA III's official priorities.
As rapporteur for IPA III and the Western Balkans Growth Plan, Zovko has advocated strengthening administrative capacity so that local and regional authorities can prepare quality projects, use available funding more effectively and actively participate in implementing EU accession-related reforms.
"The goal must be very concrete: from a local need to a European priority, and then from a European priority to a project implemented on the ground. This requires better coordination within Bosnia and Herzegovina, stronger administrative capacities at local and regional level, more direct communication with Brussels, and partnerships with cities and cantons in EU member states," Zovko said.
In conclusion, she said BiH's European path must deliver measurable results for all its citizens and all parts of the country. BiH must take advantage of the new geopolitical momentum behind enlargement and accelerate the necessary reforms, including electoral reform to ensure the equality of the three constituent peoples and their legitimate political representation.
"A strong, stable and functional Bosnia and Herzegovina, based on the equality of its three constituent peoples, is in the interest of its citizens, the European Union and the security of the entire European continent. The EU membership prospects must be translated into concrete reforms, investment and a better quality of life for citizens," Zovko said.