20 YEARS SINCE RECONSTRUCTION In Mostar, Peace Charters Awarded

(Patria) - As part of the "Mostar 2024: Dialogue for the Future" Conference, a cultural performance was held on Monday for high officials and participants, with flowers thrown from the Old Bridge for the victims of all wars, followed by a Peace Dinner at the Koski Mehmed-paša Mosque complex, hosted by the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović.

Peace Charters were awarded to UNESCO and the World Bank on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar. In 1998, these two organizations, together with the City of Mostar, signed the Global Partnership for the Reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar. It was the first time in history that these two institutions collaborated on a project to restore architectural heritage.

The charters were received by the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Qu Xing, and Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank. The awards were presented by Safet Oručević, Director of the Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation.

This year's Mostar Peace Connection awards were presented to the current President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, and posthumously to the former president of this institution, James Wolfensohn, who was also directly involved in signing the Global Partnership for the Reconstruction of the Old Bridge.

This year's laureate of the Mostar Peace Connection award is also His Highness Aga Khan, who will receive the award, at his own request, at a special ceremony in Lisbon.

The Regional Peace Charter, an award established a few years ago and given for contributions to reconciliation and cooperation in the Southeast European region, was awarded this year to former Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, who received the award from his former colleague, former Prime Minister of BiH, Denis Zvizdić.

At the end of the awards ceremony, the Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation expressed its gratitude to the former Mayor of Mostar, Ljubo Bešlić, by posthumously awarding him the Peace Architect award. The late Bešlić led the activities for the completion of the Old Bridge reconstruction process and headed the delegation of the City of Mostar in Durban at the ceremony for its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The award was accepted by the wife and daughter of the late Mayor of Mostar.

Chairman Bećirović welcomed everyone to Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among others present at the ceremony were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković, Member of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Denis Zvizdić, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Kemal Ademović, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of FBiH, Dragan Mioković, Minister of Education and Science of FBiH, Prof. Dr. Jasna Duraković, representatives of the Assembly and Government of HNK, representatives of the City of Mostar, Mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, high officials from UNESCO, the World Bank, the United Nations, representatives of all religious
communities in BiH, and other members of the diplomatic corps.

"My sincere thanks to all the states and international organizations that participated in the reconstruction of the Old Bridge. Especially to the friendly Republic of Turkey, which gave a great impetus with the first million. Great help was also provided by the World Bank, as well as the Netherlands, Italy, France, Croatia, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Aga Khan Foundation, and many others. Thanks also to UNESCO, which inscribed the Old Bridge on the list of world cultural heritage in 2005. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mostar do not forget their friends. I express deep gratitude and respect to the brave and proud citizens of Mostar who remained loyal to the idea of a multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina and a multiethnic Mostar. I especially highlight the activities of Safet Oručević, who dedicated his life to the project of a multiethnic Mostar and the ideas of peace and togetherness. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that is a bridge between east and west, or between north and south, a country of different cultures, peoples, and religions," Bećirović stated in his address.

He reminded that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a land of bridges, and without bridges, there is no state. And all who love Bosnia and Herzegovina build and protect bridges. Those who do not understand the millennial essence of our country attack and destroy bridges.

"There have always been those who built, but also those who, unfortunately, destroyed. The millennial truth is that the forces that built and protected bridges have always been stronger. These forces symbolize the transition from a world of closure to a world of openness. In a multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina, diversity is a wealth. Twenty years ago, the Old Bridge was reconstructed. This was not a reconstruction that united one city. It is more than a symbol of connection," he further stated.

The Old Bridge is a recognizable European and world symbol, a brilliant architectural achievement that connects people, cultures, and traditions.

"I am proud that we are gathered around the idea of dialogue, togetherness, and the future. Nothing in the world symbolizes togetherness like bridges. They are built not for one, but for two shores. The same applies to dialogue. Dialogue also requires two sides. We are sending a message of peace and dialogue to the region and the world. Our messages are universal. Instead of chasms, we build bridges; instead of monologues, we affirm dialogue; instead of the past, we unleash the potentials of the future. We build and connect people and shores. We are a country where everything is shared, happiness, unhappiness, success, and failure... Let us strive for more happiness, joy, and success for all of us together. Just as our ancestors built bridges, so must we. Ahead of us is the completion of the construction of the two most important bridges – these are the bridges to the European and Euro-Atlantic unions of states," Bećirović said, among other things.

On behalf of the Center for Peace, Director Safet Oručević thanked the guests, primarily Chairman Bećirović and Minister Konaković, who conceived the idea for the conference in Mostar.

"When I left politics, Mr. Konaković began his political career. I recognized him, his vision, and we wanted to establish this together. Here, we hosted Presidents Izetbegović and Tuđman, who signed the peace agreement, here the first donation for the reconstruction of the Old Bridge was signed, and here processes in Mostar were initiated. We have no alternative; we must look forward. Obstacles exist, but we must find the strength and move forward. Thanks to the wonderful people from the World Bank, UNESCO, the Aga Khan Foundation; they are the parents of Mostar. This was a scorched piece of land like Hiroshima. They came at my request, recognized the idea, and reconciliation occurred. But we still have a lot of work to do. We must be wise and build BiH step by step," Oručević said in his presentation.

The 30th anniversary of the partnership between the World Bank and Bosnia and Herzegovina was also solemnly celebrated.