US Ambassador Cormack held a meeting with members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of BiH

The newly appointed Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maureen Elizabeth Cormack, met today in an introductory visit with members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Speaker Šefik Džaferović, and his deputies Borjana Krišto and Mladen Bosić.

Thanking for all that the USA has done in the process of establishing peace and post-war development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and wishing Ambassador Cormack successful work in our country, Speaker Džaferović emphasized that it is in the interest of all peoples and citizens of BiH to remove obstacles as soon as possible that prevent raising the standard of living and continuing the path towards the European Union and NATO membership.

In this context, he highlighted the current EU initiative as a great opportunity that should not be missed and expressed optimism that it will be signed soon. In this way, he added, the Stabilization and Association Agreement will enter into force, and by the end of this year, BiH, by fulfilling other conditions, could submit a credible application for EU candidate status. The Speaker of the House of Representatives also said that he expects a very rapid establishment of government at the level of the Federation of BiH, which is closely related to the completion of the process of appointing a candidate and members of the Council of Ministers.

Deputy Speaker Borjana Krišto expressed the expectation that cooperation with the new ambassador will contribute to finding solutions for the complex Bosnian-Herzegovinian situation and establishing a stable and secure path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. She also referred to the process of harmonizing and signing the Joint Statement of the BiH Presidency on the commitment of political leaders in BiH to undertake necessary reforms within the framework of the accession process to the European Union, comparing this document with numerous previously signed but not implemented documents and expressing hope that what is signed this time will be respected.

In the coming period, it would be important for all of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have fewer stressful situations like those that marked the previous period, emphasized Deputy Speaker Mladen Bosić today, adding that he hopes for even better cooperation with the USA, primarily in the field of security and opening better prospects for citizens. He also pointed out that BiH needs to have a government that can do something and be accountable for what has been done and not done, and that he believes that we will move from a phase of obstruction and conflict to a phase of agreement. Bosić also said today that the coming days, through the attitude towards the Joint Statement, will show the will to work or not to work, the mood for change, and even point to potential hidden plans.

Ambassador Maureen Elizabeth Cormack emphasized today that the USA has a strong interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its progress, and stressed that she expects concrete proposals on how the United States can assist in all reform moves.