Donald Trump congratulates Bosnia's Statehood Day

REUTERS/Leah Millis

US President Donald Trump Congratulated Bosnia’s Statehood Day, on Friday, to the newly elected tripartite Presidency members Milorad Dodik, Zeljko Komsic and Sefik Dzaferovic.

“Distinguished members of Bosnia's Presidency, on behalf of the American people, I express my sincere and best wishes to you and the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion of the celebration of the Statehood Day on November 25,” Trump said in his letter. “The United States is committed to a firm friendship and partnership with Bosnia and supports its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He reiterated US’ support to Bosnia’s accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions.

“The United States remains committed to working with the new authorities, when formed, and to continue implementing reforms that are necessary for Bosnia's progress on its European path,” he added.

While the Statehood Day is an official holiday in Bosnia, it is only marked in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) entity shared by Bosniaks and Croats. The other entity, the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS) does not celebrate this date nor does it recognise it.

RS officials celebrate November 21 instead, which marks the date when the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed, which ended the bloody war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995).

The official celebration on November 25 in the Bosnian Presidency building was always boycotted by the Serb Presidency member.