Biden receives congratulations from BiH and the region

(Patria) - Joe Biden officially became the 46th President of the United States of America at his inauguration today. Congratulations followed for the new US president, who also delivered his first speech calling for American unity. He promised to be the president of all citizens and to fight all the problems that plague both the US and the world.  

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić congratulated Biden and invited him to visit Serbia. 

“Please accept my sincere congratulations on assuming the responsible office of President of the USA, with best wishes for good health and much success, for the benefit of your country and all its citizens”, Vučić stated in his congratulatory message.

He emphasized that he deeply believes Biden will perform this duty with true dedication, inexhaustible energy, and a clear vision that characterizes his long political career and rich state experience.

Vučić recalled that this year marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the USA, and that in the previous period, the two countries marked important jubilees from their shared history, remembering “bright examples of their alliance on the side of truth and justice”.

“It was precisely these that strongly encouraged us in Serbia to strive to return relations with the USA to the level of true partnership, as they were and as they should be, despite the scars left by times of misunderstanding and disagreement”, Vučić pointed out.

He expressed his conviction that Serbia, with mutual respect and shared values, will find a partner in Biden for strengthening political dialogue and economic cooperation.

“Therefore, allow me to extend an invitation for you, now as President of the USA, to visit Serbia, with the hope that your previous visit in 2016 remains a fond memory and that the desire for richer Serbian-American ties is mutual”, Vučić's congratulatory message stated.

Croatian President Zoran Milanović also posted on Facebook on Wednesday “that faith in light at the end of the tunnel ultimately triumphs over darkness”. 

He said that “according to Wikipedia in English, he is one of only two European heads of state/government who openly supported Joe Biden for president during the campaign”, and that according to the same source, the other (or first) was Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.

“Given that… and that from the very first moment, back in November 2016, I was as clear as dawn, watching President Biden enter the White House, I must say that I (as a non-religious person) am glad when it is confirmed that faith in light at the end of the tunnel ultimately triumphs over darkness“, Milanović wrote.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Bisera Turković, also sent congratulations via her Twitter account.

"Congratulations dear President Biden, Bosnia and Herzegovina wishes you every success in leading the American people. You have always been a true friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout your life and we look forward to cooperating with you in the years to come", Turković stated.

Among the first BiH officials to congratulate Biden and Harris was the President of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović. 

"As we continue to witness the importance of solidarity and cooperation in these challenging times, I look forward to working together for a stable, developed, and European BiH", Čović wrote.

The Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šefik Džaferović, congratulated the President of the USA, Joseph Biden.

"Dear President Biden, I wholeheartedly congratulate you on taking the oath and officially assuming the office of President of the United States of America. I am fully confident that with your experience, democratic capacity, and policies that promote freedom, equality, and respect for human dignity, you will successfully overcome all the challenges facing the American nation. Your inspiring address at the inauguration gives hope not only to the great American nation but also to all well-intentioned people around the world that a period of global stabilization, understanding, and the renewal of multilateralism as a mechanism that guarantees the progress of the entire world lies ahead.

Valuing you as a great friend of my country, I am sure that during your term, the friendly and partnership relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA will be further strengthened in mutual interest. Please convey my congratulations to your Vice President Kamala Harris as well. May God help you in your mission", Džaferović wrote in his congratulatory message.