EU Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Luigi Soreca on 8 June 2026 inaugurated the 13 km Sarajevo-Pale cycling trail, a project funded with 2.3 million euros from the European Union, describing it as a symbol of cooperation that brings communities together and counters divisive narratives. Speaking at the opening event, Soreca highlighted that citizens had already embraced the trail, sharing videos and photos on social media, which he called 'the real success of this EU investment.'
The trail, which connects Sarajevo and Pale through forests and tunnels, is part of the broader Giro di Ćiro vision to revive historic railway routes across Bosnia and Herzegovina for tourism, recreation, and economic development. Soreca noted that the project was initiated three years ago by his predecessor, Johann Sattler, underscoring EU continuity. He thanked the mayors of the five municipalities along the route for their cooperation.
Soreca framed the trail as a direct response to those promoting division, including individuals who had defaced the route with divisive graffiti. 'The enthusiasm of citizens for this trail is proof that there will always be more that unites the people of this country than divides it,' he said. The ambassador also stressed the economic benefits, predicting a boost for healthy lifestyles, tourism, and local businesses, and called for continued advertising and follow-up to maximize the trail's potential.
No prior coverage of this project exists in recent EU Matrix records. The event marks a concrete EU investment in infrastructure aimed at fostering reconciliation and local development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country still grappling with ethnic divisions. The trail is expected to attract visitors from across Europe, with Soreca mentioning he had promoted it to contacts in Brussels, Rome, Berlin, and Stockholm.