US Senator Praises Work of Minister Trhulj and BiH's Defense Industry

Influential US Senator Jim Inhofe yesterday praised the work of the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, headed by Minister Erdal Trhulj, for strengthening cooperation with the United States in the field of the defense industry, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Namely, a formal reception was held last night at the Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS at Johns Hopkins University in Washington to open the second transatlantic economic forum, where Senator Inhofe was presented with an award from the SAIS Center.

The reception was attended by representatives of the US government, Congress, ambassadors accredited in Washington, forum participants, including Mujo Selimovic (MIMS), Esad Pelidija (Energoinvest), Enver Mujezinovic (Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry), Jusuf Hubjer and Munevera Fočo from Unix – Ginex, as well as a delegation from "Howell Machines".

The guests present were welcomed on behalf of the Center for Transatlantic Relations by Sasa Toperic, who presented Senator Inhofe with the award.

- Esteemed Senator Inhofe, in US foreign relations, especially on the African continent, you are one of the most active senators who has significantly advanced transatlantic cooperation through your engagement and the friendships you have created. It is my honor and pleasure to present you with this award on behalf of our director Daniel Hamilton and the entire SAIS leadership - Toperic said, among other things.

Joel Starr, advisor to Senator Inhofe and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA, on behalf of the senator, emphasized the importance of the Mediterranean Basin project, which, together with the efforts of the US government, works to strengthen democracy in transition countries in the Mediterranean, strengthen economic cooperation, civil societies, and the security of the region.

He also praised "Howell Machines" and the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry of BiH for their successful cooperation and promised full support for strengthening further cooperation between the USA and BiH in this area. The reception was also attended by the Ambassador of BiH in Washington, Jadranka Negodic.

The main organizers and strategic partners of the Mediterranean Basin project are the Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS in Washington, the American-Bosnian Foundation based in Sarajevo, and the Mediterranean Development Initiative based in Tunis.