Komšić in Italy at the invitation of the Bosnian diaspora: We appreciate our friends, but we hope for our victory

(Patria) - At the invitation of the "Ljiljan Italy" Citizens' Association, the Union of BiH Associations, and the Municipality of Darfo Boario Terme, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić attended the Academy on the occasion of the celebration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day.

During his stay, BiH Presidency member Komšić met and spoke with representatives of local authorities, organizers, as well as members of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora in Italy. They discussed strengthening cooperation, preserving identity, and the importance of connecting the homeland and the diaspora.

In his address, BiH Presidency member Komšić gave a speech dedicated to the significance of Independence Day.

I am pleased to be here with you again today to celebrate the Independence Day of our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to be among you again, as I was a guest in this region a few years ago and was genuinely impressed by the warm welcome, exceptional organization, and energy of our people.

That meeting left a strong impression on me and once again confirmed how organized and deeply connected to their homeland our people living outside Bosnia and Herzegovina are.


I take this opportunity to thank the representatives of the local authorities here for the support and understanding they provide to our community. Your openness and cooperation enable our people to preserve their identity, culture, and traditions, but also to actively contribute to the society in which they live.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day is a symbol of our freedom, unity, and determination to preserve and build a state for all its citizens.

At the beginning of the month, it was 34 years since our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, gained independence.
This was preceded by a democratic vote of the citizens in a referendum on independence. In a historical sense, that decision is an unprecedented event. However, such a decision had to be defended not only politically but also militarily.

With great sacrifice from the entire nation, the decision for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become an independent republic was defended, and today, thanks to that, we have a state – not ideal, but still ours.

We know how much Bosnia and Herzegovina means to all of you in the diaspora, including here in Italy, and how much you help it. Bosnia and Herzegovina will always be your home and that corner of the planet where you can find refuge. For all Bosnians and Herzegovinians, it represents an oasis of freedom. It was like that, it is like that now, and it will remain so in the future.

We know how much you rejoice in the successes of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even the symbolic ones that mean a lot. We all rejoiced equally at the victory of our national football team.



The circumstances are such that Bosnia and Herzegovina will play its next match for qualification for the World Cup against Italy.

And just as we appreciate the unquestionable friendship of the Republic of Italy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, while appreciating Italy as a football superpower – a team that has won the most World Cups among European selections – we still hope for our team to advance.

Italy is a wonderful country, our friendly state, and for you Bosnians and Herzegovinians who have found life opportunities and possibilities here, it is in a way a second homeland. However, for our entire nation, such things have a deeper significance.

The Bosnian people are eager for victories, and it seems that the younger generations exude optimism and fighting spirit, the same one we saw in the match against Wales.

Thank you for another warm welcome here in Italy, and I hope to see you soon in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.