The newly appointed US Ambassador, Eric Nelson, addressed Bosnian citizens in a video message posted by the US Embassy in Sarajevo, announcing his arrival.

Nelson stressed that his diverse heritage represents his personal and his country’s advantage, adding that inclusion was one of the main reasons why the US became so successful.

“As the grandson of Solvakian and Scandinavian migrants, I’m proud of the diversity that has made the US a great nation,” he said in the video posted on US Embassy's Facebook page.

Nelson has spent over 30 years as a public servant, first representing his country first as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia, and then as a diplomat. He will succeed the current US Ambassador, Maureen Cormack, who was nominated on January 2014 by the then US President Barack Obama.

Cormack, who is a career diplomat, served in Washington D.C. as the Executive Assistant in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Principal Deputy Coordinator for the Bureau of International Information Programs, and Executive Assistant in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

“I look forward to visiting communities across Bosnia and learning about the history, culture and diversity of your beautiful country and hear about the hopes you have for your future and that of the next generations,” he added. “The US will continue to stand with the people working today to build a more secure and prosperous country, where respect of the rule of law and an effective government serves all Bosnian citizens.”

The US State Department website states that Eric George Nelson, is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor and that he is currently a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of State.

His wide-ranging experience and exemplary leadership skills made him an excellent candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.