Murphy: I will work with elected leaders on Euro-Atlantic integration

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - US Ambassador to BiH Michael Murphy held his first press conference today at the US Embassy. He said he was pleased to return to BiH where he previously worked as a political advisor.

"I am returning to BiH at a time that is the most difficult in the modern history of this country. BiH requires functional institutions, but also functional entities. Currently, BiH has neither. My priority is support for the Dayton Peace Agreement, reforms, and most importantly, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Murphy said.

He added that his job in our country will certainly be difficult for a number of reasons.

"BiH is a complicated environment and my job here will not be easy. My team is ready to work. BiH cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. The people of this country know the suffering caused by war all too well. There are still important reminders for the future, and the future of BiH lies in Euro-Atlantic integration," Murphy added.

He said that the people in BiH know what war means.

"I will dedicate time to working on reconciliation among the peoples of BiH. I will support the rule of law and anti-corruption reform activities that threaten Euro-Atlantic integration. I will support economic reforms that will bring prosperity to all BiH citizens. I will work on countermeasures against Russia and China that threaten our common interests and ultimately the future of BiH. I will support BiH's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We will work with our allies and partners to achieve reforms and a deeper partnership with NATO," said the US Ambassador.

The path of Euro-Atlantic integration is neither easy nor free; it must be earned, the ambassador stated.

"Leaders in BiH must work to ensure a future for citizens and their children. The citizens of BiH have every right to expect their elected leaders to do the job they were elected for," Murphy said.

He recalled that more than 100,000 lives were lost in BiH during the war from 1992 to 1995, during which genocide was committed in Srebrenica.

"The guilt for the genocide lies with those who committed it, not with an entire nation. The duty of today's leaders is to honor the victims, promote reconciliation, and respect the verdicts," Murphy said.