Political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina need to implement reforms that move BiH toward European standards and democratic norms. Instead, the Embassies of the United States, Germany, the UK, and the Office of the High Representative see recent rhetoric and initiatives in the Republika Srpska (RS) as moving away from these standards, despite the government’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 11 April, 2019 | Topics:
Press Releases
As part of U.S. Embassy Sarajevo’s efforts to raise public awareness about the problem of air pollution and air quality in BiH, Deputy Chief of Mission Ellen Germain hosted a lunch with Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Edin Forto and visiting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientist Dr. Gayle Hagler. Dr. Hagler presented a summary of ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 9 April, 2019 | Topics:
Events, Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes today’s verdict by the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) in the case of Radovan Karadžić. The ruling represents an important step toward holding to account those individuals responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while providing ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 20 March, 2019 | Topics:
Press Releases
Eric Nelson has arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina and today presented his credentials to the Chairman of the BiH Presidency as Ambassador of the United States. During the ceremony, Ambassador Nelson stressed: “I look forward to leading my government’s work here to advance prosperity, security, and respect for the rule of law benefiting all the ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 19 February, 2019 | Topics:
Ambassador, Events, Press Releases, U.S. & Bosnia and Herzegovina
The U.S. Embassy in BiH roundly rejects the completely ridiculous conspiracy theories being disseminated by certain politicians and media outlets in their service. It is shocking that these individuals would stand at a podium and deliver outright lies, especially when their unfounded allegations are so easily disproved. Such rhetoric is irresponsible, inflammatory, and out of ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 19 October, 2018 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States has demonstrated our dedication and commitment to the people of BiH over more than two decades, and yet irresponsible actors continue to drag us into conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, and, bluntly, lies. During election campaigns, we strongly believe that citizens should have the opportunity to discuss the issues that will determine their ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 27 September, 2018 | Topics:
Press Releases
Yesterday’s public fabrications by Milorad Dodik are simply untrue. Once again, the assistance of the people of the United States is being used to support wild conspiracy theories in the interest of election campaigning in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States is estimated to have invested nearly two billion dollars in helping the reconstruction and ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 22 August, 2018 | Topics:
Press Releases
Certain politicians continue to use a fabricated story about a so-called “NATO exercise” to instigate fear among the citizens of BiH, despite our continued efforts to provide factual and timely information about the exercise. The U.S. Embassy strongly rejects all speculation and allegations about this exercise. As we have said many times, as part of ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 28 March, 2018 | Topics:
Press Releases
On February 8, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina Paul Horowitz and FBI Legal Attaché John Bivona presented FBI Director Certificates of Appreciation to security and law-enforcement officials from the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in recognition of their efforts and assistance in the successful arrest and extradition of Mirsad Kandic. ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 9 February, 2018 | Topics:
Charge D’Affaires, Events, Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina notes the judgment of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The United States supports the critically important work of the ICTY and respects its ruling. Today’s verdict in the case of Prlic et al. is an important step toward holding to ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 29 November, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo views today’s verdict of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the case of Ratko Mladic as an important step toward holding to account those individuals responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among other crimes, Mladic was found guilty of genocide in ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 22 November, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Embassies of the United Kingdom and United States of America are deeply concerned about conclusions reached by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) on Thursday, following information submitted by the RS Center for the Investigation of War, War Crimes and the Search for Missing Persons. In particular, we are troubled by the HJPC’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 27 October, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today E.U. Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and U.S. Ambassador Maureen Cormack met with BiH Presidency Member Bakir Izetbegovic. They discussed the need for renewed momentum on the Euro-Atlantic path, implementing reform commitments, and improving the rule of law. They agreed on the urgent need to address the excise package, and unlock €500 million of investments in ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 6 October, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
U.S. Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack met with a group of mayors for lunch on the margins of the “U.S. Business Promotion and Networking Forum” in Banja Luka on Friday, September 22. The lunch was an opportunity to discuss how the mayors have improved the business climates in their municipalities, focusing on the best methods to drive economic growth and ways the U.S. Embassy ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 22 September, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, Business, Events, Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo is hosting an annual Regional Chiefs of Mission Workshop for U.S. Ambassadors September 17-19. Participating in the workshop will be the U.S. Ambassadors to Albania, BiH, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. During the workshop, the Ambassadors will hold internal discussions related to common issues faced by U.S. missions ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 18 September, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, Events, Press Releases
Today U.S. Ambassador Maureen Cormack and EU Special Representative and Head of EU Delegation Lars-Gunnar Wigemark met with BiH Presidency Chair Dragan Covic. They discussed a number of issues concerning reforms, regaining momentum on the EU path, and improving the rule of law. On the 2018 General Elections, they emphasized the responsibility of all BiH ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 13 September, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
Members of the U.S. military will begin arriving in June in Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation for Exercise Jackal Stone 2017. Jackal Stone is part of the U.S. European Command’s Joint Training and Exercise Program, which is designed to enhance joint, combined interoperability with Allied and partner nations. Jackal Stone 2017 is a bilateral exercise ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 1 June, 2017 | Topics:
Press Releases
In a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to strengthening democratic principles and institutions within the country, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Yee and Ambassador Maureen Cormack spoke with the RS President to underscore our concerns about his recent statements and actions, and to ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 27 December, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy congratulates the Presidency of BiH and the Minister of Defense on the completion of the Defense Review. While it was years in the making, we welcome the spirit of cooperation that led to the drafting of a framework for the future of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will right-size ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 23 November, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
From November 14-18, the RS MUP will host forces from SIPA, the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, AFBiH, and the U.S. European Command for a host nation partnership training exercise to be held in and around Banja Luka. The exercise is the latest in a number of events intended to provide ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 13 November, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy position on the conduct of a referendum with regard to the RS Law on Holidays has been clear and consistent. Acting in disregard of a decision of the Constitutional Court blatantly violates the rule of law, and we count on competent institutions to address that violation in accordance with the laws of ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 26 September, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
We call on all the parties to respect today’s decision of the BiH Constitutional Court. The authority of the Court is clearly defined in Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement which gives jurisdiction to the Court to resolve disputes between levels of the government. We urge the leadership of the Republika Srpska to refrain from holding ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 17 September, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Embassies of the United States of America and the United Kingdom, and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo welcome the decision by the BiH Presidency to issue clear direction to the Ministry of Defense to complete BiH’s Defense Review. The completed Review will define the Armed Forces’ size and capability, frame modernization plans, and identify resources required ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo views today’s verdict by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the case of Radovan Karadzic as an important step toward holding the individuals who were responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to account. We hope that it can provide some sense ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 24 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy is saddened by the death of U.S. diplomat and Presiding Arbitrator of the Arbitral Tribunal for the Dispute Over the Inter-Entity Boundary in the Brcko Area Roberts B. Owen. Mr. Owen served as Presiding Arbitrator since his appointment in July, 1996, and in that role made a lasting contribution to peace and ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 16 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Addressing participants at Saturday’s session of the Igman Initiative, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, Ambassador Cormack emphasized that BiH is at a crossroads, with more effort needed to advance towards EU and NATO membership. She called for more decisive engagement in all fields in implementing the Reform Agenda, and noted ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 12 December, 2015 | Topics:
Ambassador, Press Releases
We in the United States Embassy to BiH extend our sincerest condolences to the families of Private First Class Armin Salkic and Corporal Nedeljko Radic, the soldiers killed in last night’s terrorist attack in Rajlovac, and to their friends and colleagues in the Armed Forces of BiH, for whom we have the deepest respect. Our ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 19 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States Embassy is alarmed at the direction in which this planned referendum is taking the Republika Srpska as an entity, and the threat it poses to the security, stability, and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We oppose this referendum and any preparation for it as as a violation of the Dayton Peace Accords, ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 15 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
As Former President Clinton said in his remarks honoring the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica today, it took courage for PM Vucic to attend the commemoration. The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo condemns the subsequent attack on the Prime Minister. Many of the mourners were horrified by the violence and disheartened that it disrupted ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 11 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy strongly echoes the sentiments expressed by Ambassador Power on the floor of the United Nations yesterday, voices throughout the U.S. Government, and members of the international community who were equally disheartened by Russia’s decision to veto the Security Council resolution commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. As Ambassador Power noted, ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 9 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina condemns the April 27 terrorist attack on the police station in Zvornik. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Dragan Djuric who was killed in the attack, to the police officers who were injured in the line of duty, as well as other employees of Zvornik ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 28 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo urges members of the the Republika Srpska National Assembly to show their commitment to the Dayton Peace Agreement by refraining from adopting any declaration that would disregard the authority of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To explicitly express intent not to implement the pending decision of the Constitutional ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 15 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Yesterday’s formation of the Council of Ministers and the Federation Government allows the elected officials to turn their focus rightfully to a demanding reform agenda that must be addressed immediately. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina expect tangible progress in a number of areas including job creation, rule of law, struggle against corruption and progress towards ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 1 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy welcomes the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to proceed with the conclusion and entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is an important milestone on the path to EU integration. Outlining and implementing the actual reform agenda in coming months will be difficult, ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 17 March, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Ambassador Maureen Cormack officially welcomed participants to a Counter-Terrorism Workshop in Sarajevo hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice in order to encourage cooperation between investigators and prosecutors. The two-day event held at the Hotel Hollywood features American counter-terrorism experts and their counterparts from SIPA and the BiH Prosecutor’s Office providing insight on how to ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 11 February, 2015 | Topics:
Ambassador, Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo has communicated to both politicians and citizens of BiH our deep concern regarding proposed legislation on Public Peace and Order scheduled for debate by the Republika Srpska National Assembly, believing that it poses a direct challenge to the fundamental human right to freedom of expression. The U.S. Government supports efforts ...
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By U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo | 4 February, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
