McCain: BiH has done a lot in the fight against terrorism, continue the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration

Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator John McCain, is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he met with members of the BiH Presidency, after which he held a press conference at the U.S. Embassy, reports Patria agency.

McCain said he last visited BiH in 2010 and added that he sees progress, especially in the area of the army and armed forces. He thanked for the participation of BiH soldiers in the mission in Afghanistan.

- The U.S. policy is to promote Euro-Atlantic integration in BiH, and we will strongly support it, as well as the development of democracy and democratic processes. I think it is time for the U.S. and our friends and allies, both in Europe and in the region, to focus attention on this region, because there are still unresolved issues here. The U.S. Congress will support the activation of the MAP, which will finally lead to BiH's inclusion in the NATO alliance.

I want to commend the leaders of this country who have achieved great success in the fight against terrorism, and I am glad that the BiH army has shown that it is important for NATO.

I believe that most Americans think that BiH's inclusion in the EU would be a very good event, we want the MAP to be activated, there are no shortcuts to joining NATO, and I hope everything will be successful. I say that the residents of this country deserve a stronger fight against corruption - said McCain.

He said that a few years ago, several terrorists from BiH were arrested, but that significant progress is noticeable, and it has been a long time since a terrorist was arrested here.

- I am concerned about the support for Salafists or extremists and such organizations and people here, and that is what is worrying, but overall, what BiH has done is that it has made great progress.

He also added that the U.S. strongly supports BiH and will always stand with the BiH people and their fight for democracy.

The senator also said that he cannot predict whether sanctions will be imposed against anyone in BiH, and that the Dayton Peace Agreement will remain in force and be implemented, and that both the spirit and the text of the Dayton Peace Agreement must be preserved. He emphasized that this is an important part of the world.

- I came here because I was concerned about some reports, which included Russian influence and interference, and I wanted to send a message that the new U.S. administration stands behind BiH, on whose behalf I say that we support BiH. There is a lot that needs to be done, I wanted to hear what is happening and return to the U.S. and see how we can help you with the MAP, the EU, and to highlight areas where further cooperation is needed.

McCain said that he pointed out the problem of corruption in BiH to BiH officials and hopes there will be progress.

- This is an issue that concerns the residents and citizens of this country, and they deserve stronger efforts to resolve issues of corruption, as this could be an obstacle to membership in both the EU and NATO - said McCain.