Expanding prosperity and improving security will be among the top priorities of the President's nominee Eric George Nelson, if he is confirmed to serve as the US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In a hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held on Thursday, Nelson said he would promote “effective government and rule of law” and that “targeted sanctions can be effective response” if peace and stability are threatened.
“The United States is safer and more prosperous when Europe is indeed stable and prosperous. When 100,000 Bosnians died and two million fled the Bosnian war of 1992-95, the United States intervened with force and diplomacy to end the war. As a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Accords, the United States remains firmly committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Nelson.
According to him, the surest path to secure a promising future is the country's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions but, as he pointed out, too many politicians continue to put “zero-sum ethnic nationalism and their personal enrichment ahead of critical reforms.
If he gets the support of the Senate, Nelson will become the tenth US Ambassador in Bosnia since the international recognition of the country as a sovereign and independent state in May 1992. He would replace Maureen Cormack, who took the office in Sarajevo on January 16, 2015.
If his appointment is confirmed, Nelson said, expanding prosperity would be the first priority he would focus on.
“A weak economy and endemic corruption undermine stability. Reforms are critical to reduce labour taxes, improve the ease of opening a business and privatize bloated state enterprises. If confirmed, I will press for standards that ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina can be an attractive destination for US exports and direct investment,” he stressed.
“Secondly, if confirmed I will promote effective government and rule of law. Sadly, Transparency International ranks Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe. I will continue our Embassy’s strong efforts to improve transparency and accountability. When local institutions fail to act, or if peace and stability are threatened, targeted sanctions can be an effective response,” Nelson told the Committee.
The special accent of the Embassy's work would be placed on the matter of security.
“The United States will continue our efforts to counter malign foreign influence and violent extremism, strengthen law enforcement, and increase border security. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a committed partner on counterterrorism and deploys with Allied troops in Afghanistan. The United States supports Bosnia’s continued progress towards NATO membership and Western democratic values,” he noted.
At the end of his hearing, Nelson pointed out the importance of cooperation.
“We need strong partnerships to help Bosnia and Herzegovina achieve peace with progress. If confirmed, I will combine forces with civil society, private sector, and our European partners. I will be eager to work with all leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina who share our goals and are ready to tackle corruption and implement reform,” he concluded.
