IGK President Emir Ramić Briefs BiH Embassy on Institute's Work and Diaspora in Canada

(Patria) - President of the Institute for Genocide Research Canada Emir Ramić was invited to the BiH Embassy in Canada where he informed Embassy Advisor Daniela Čolić about the activities of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora in Canada, tasks completed so far, and the most important plans for the future.

As announced by the IGR, he particularly highlighted significant bilateral agreements between BiH and Canada, the development of economic, cultural and academic diplomacy, activities for the reopening of the Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo, the establishment of the institution of Honorary Consul of BiH in Toronto, and the twinning of Sarajevo with Calgary and Hamilton.

"Advisor Daniela Čolić sent a clear message that the BiH Embassy in Ottawa is once again opening its doors wide for its citizens, who should feel that it is their Bosnian-Herzegovinian home and that they are always welcome. The Embassy's work with the diaspora in Canada will be reactivated. The Embassy will no longer be inaccessible. It will actively engage with the diaspora, and the Advisor is already planning visits to our communities across Canada. The Advisor invited Bosnian-Herzegovinian organizations and communities in Canada to jointly define projects of importance for BiH with the Embassy and work together on their implementation. In coordination with the Embassy, it is necessary to define an approach towards Canadian officials and institutions with the aim of promoting the common interests of BiH and Canada," the statement reads.

It was emphasized that one of BiH's key interests is to reactivate the work of the Caucus for BiH in the Canadian Parliament, with the aim of strengthening and improving relations between BiH and Canada, as a true friend of BiH.

"Thanks to the engaged and educated Advisor Daniela Čolić, the Embassy will once again become a place for presenting the best and most significant Bosnian-Herzegovinian values and interests. The Embassy will promote books by Bosnian-Herzegovinian authors, cultural, sports and academic achievements of Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizens and organizations. The Embassy will organize open days where Canadians can get to know and learn about Bosnian-Herzegovinian tradition, history and culture. The Embassy will finally become a place of Bosnian-Herzegovinian gathering in Canada," the statement said.

The importance of strengthening strategic relations and bridges between Canada and BiH was particularly highlighted.

"We hope that we will live to see the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Embassy in Ottawa begin to enjoy the reputation it deserves. The first step would be establishing a BHS rotation of ambassadors. In Bosnian-Herzegovinian diplomacy, ethnic rotation of ambassadors is foreseen for the most important countries; Canada is not on that list, and that is for us a strange way, a strange relationship. This is also strange to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora and Canadian officials. Canada is a country with a strong, determined and capable Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora, it is first on the list of desirable countries to live in, plural and dynamic, a refuge for the exiled and disenfranchised, economically super-strong, its largest neighbor and ally is the USA, a champion in democracy and human rights.

But, in Ottawa, Bosnian-Herzegovinian ambassadors are appointed in a strange way. Canada is not on the BHS rotation, therefore it is not important. And how, in such circumstances, can we expect the mission of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community in Canada, which seeks the re-establishment of the Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo, to succeed? A very difficult task for us, but the first step should be to satisfy the rotation system which is, after all, the criterion by which the importance of the country to which we send Bosnian-Herzegovinian ambassadors is measured," the statement concluded.