SENATE CONFIRMED: Michael Murphy is the new US Ambassador to BiH

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The new United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina is Michael Murphy, who received Senate confirmation early this morning.

The Senate accepted the nomination of US President Joe Biden for him to be the new American ambassador in Sarajevo. At the hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on October 5 this year, he outlined five priorities of his work.

“Bosnians and Herzegovinians are warm, hospitable people with open hearts. They deserve a Euro-Atlantic future and security. Our top priority is preserving and strengthening the integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 26 years of peace cannot be taken for granted,” Murphy stated.

In his presentation before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he outlined five priorities he will implement if confirmed by the Senate as ambassador.

In addition to ensuring and strengthening the sovereignty and integrity of BiH, he also highlighted support for the work of the Office of the High Representative, whose task is to implement the 5+2 agenda, which could ultimately lead to the closure of the OHR once that agenda is fully met.

BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration is his next priority.

Murphy reminded that the vast majority of BiH citizens want membership in the European Union, as well as in NATO.

The path to this lies through reforms, and they will have to be implemented because BiH citizens want them.

“And citizens deserve entry into Euro-Atlantic institutions and the security and prosperity that this process provides,” he emphasized.

The rule of law, especially the fight against corruption, is his next priority.

He stated that he will be strongly engaged in this field, as it is in the interest of both BiH and the US.

“Corruption destroys the fabric of the state. It makes BiH vulnerable and susceptible to harmful foreign influence.

And that is why my priority will be to suppress these activities and fight against the harmful activities of Russia and China,” he stated.

He also emphasized reconciliation and persistent work on defending the truth from the war period, reports Politički.ba.

“The Srebrenica genocide happened. That is indisputable.

The guilty, the criminals – are individuals, not peoples. Today's leaders must prosecute criminals, not glorify them, and work on reconciliation,” Murphy stated.

During the further hearing before senators, he also conveyed that the short-term goal of the US is the implementation of limited constitutional reform that will lead to a more stable and functional BiH, enabling greater equality for all its citizens.

This reform must also ensure the implementation of all decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg.

He added that he will work on “ensuring more space for civic parties,” and announced “new, additional reforms that will accelerate BiH's path to the EU and NATO.”

He was nominated on July 16 this year.

After confirmation in the Senate, Murphy awaits a ceremony at the State Department, followed by packing his bags.

He could arrive in BiH during the next month.

Sarajevo is not unfamiliar to him.

He served in our country 12 years ago, when he was also the head of the political department of the US Embassy in BiH.