Bećirović spoke with Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour

(Patria) - Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Bećirović spoke in Toronto with Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour, the highest-ranking state official of Canada. This is also the first meeting of Governor General Louise Arbour at the level of heads of state since she assumed office.

The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina said that Canada is a long-standing friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina and an important partner in supporting its development, preservation of peace, security, and strengthening of democratic institutions. He also emphasized that Canada, as a member of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, is directly involved in the selection of the new High Representative. In this context, he stated that it is extremely important that the new High Representative be a person of strong integrity, professional credibility, and unwavering commitment to protecting the Dayton Peace Agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs a High Representative who will be ready to fully execute the mandate of the OHR, who will resolutely support the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in protecting the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of our country, oppose unconstitutional actions and threats to peace, and actively support the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bećirović particularly emphasized the importance of Canada's role in supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its Euro-Atlantic path, as well as the overall activities of the Canadian government regarding the acceleration of reform processes in our country. He added that the support of allies like Canada is of particular importance for protecting the peace, stability, and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed interest in further strengthening Canada's institutional presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and called on Canadian authorities to consider the possibility of reopening the Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo. He emphasized that a stronger diplomatic presence of Canada in Bosnia and Herzegovina would contribute to intensifying political cooperation, economic ties, and the realization of joint projects of mutual interest.

The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina especially thanked Canada for its support of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the Srebrenica genocide, as well as for its decades-long contribution to preserving the truth about the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the genocide against Bosniaks. He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina greatly appreciates everything Louise Arbour has done for our country, and that her name will remain permanently linked to strengthening international justice, fighting impunity, and prosecuting those responsible for the worst war crimes committed on European soil after World War II.

Bećirović emphasized the role of the large Bosnian and Herzegovinian community in Canada, which represents a strong bridge of friendship between the two countries and makes a significant contribution to Canadian society. In this regard, he particularly highlighted the importance of the Institute for Genocide Research Canada, led by Emir Ramić.

Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour emphasized that Canada remains firmly committed to strengthening friendly relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and supporting its European and Euro-Atlantic path. She also stated that Canada wants to develop stronger bilateral relations between the two countries, and that there is room for strengthening cooperation on the multilateral level.