Becirovic: US support crucial for BiH sovereignty, advancing toward NATO and EU membership

“Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Durbin belong to the circle of proven friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At important moments for our country, they have acted concretely and on principle in the U.S. Senate. Bosnia and Herzegovina values and remembers such friends,” Becirovic said.

The Chairman of the Presidency of BiH particularly thanked Senator Shaheen for her longstanding personal commitment to the country. He stressed that over the years she had been one of the strongest voices of support for BiH in the U.S. Senate, consistently supporting BiH's European and Euro-Atlantic future, as well as the preservation of its constitutional order.

He also highlighted the importance of the recent joint response by Senators Shaheen and Durbin regarding pressure on employees and associates of the Srebrenica Memorial Center. He said their clear message on the need to protect the Memorial Center, uphold the rule of law and prevent intimidation of those preserving the truth about the genocide was another confirmation of their principled support for BiH.

He also stressed that continued strong U.S. engagement is of particular importance to BiH. He said U.S. support is important for protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of BiH, as well as for advancing the country toward full membership in NATO and the EU.

Among other issues, he highlighted the importance of maintaining the full capacity and continuity of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). He stressed that at a time of serious geopolitical and security challenges, the international community must retain effective instruments to preserve peace and implement the Dayton Peace Agreement.