Bećirović in Washington: Global Network of BiH Diaspora is Functioning to Connect with Homeland

(Patria) - Member of the BiH Presidency Denis Bećirović met with the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora and members of the Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC) in Washington.

The discussion covered the challenges faced by the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora in the USA and the improvement of cooperation between organizations and individuals in the diaspora with the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bećirović emphasized that the formation of the Global Network of BiH Diaspora established cooperation with individuals and organizations worldwide and that important projects of interest to Bosnia and Herzegovina have been realized.

He pointed out that the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina should maintain as strong ties as possible with its citizens abroad, especially through education, science, culture, tradition, sports, transfer of institutional knowledge, as well as increasingly significant business investments coming from the diaspora.

During the conversation, the member of the BiH Presidency highlighted the significant role of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora as a strong bridge between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA. He particularly emphasized the important contribution of the diaspora in promoting political, cultural, and economic ties between the two friendly states, as well as in promoting a positive image of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the USA.

The member of the BiH Presidency said that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs the knowledge, energy, and experience of its diaspora, and that the common goal is a stable, democratic, and prosperous state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He emphasized that diaspora investments, transfer of knowledge and experiences are of great importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Among other things, Bećirović stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to good regional cooperation. It is not good that the neighboring Republic of Croatia passed a law allowing the construction of a radioactive waste facility right on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is not building good neighborly relations between the two states.

For years, appeals have been made from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia to abandon this dangerous idea that threatens the health of residents and pollution of water and the environment. There are also warnings that this is a seismic area, and that there is a high risk of soil and water contamination. All of this has been ignored by the Croatian authorities. The BiH Presidency will also discuss this topic at the end of this month.

Representatives of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora thanked the member of the BiH Presidency for his visit and his activities aimed at protecting the state interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They emphasized the importance of developing and improving cooperation with the homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily in the fields of culture and economy, as well as preserving Bosnian-Herzegovinian tradition.

They also expressed readiness to continue concrete activities that contribute to the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially through investments and educational projects.