Last night in Annapolis, the capital of the federal state of Maryland, a gala evening was held in the organization of the Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council, which marked two years since the establishment of the Council and 22 years of partnership between the federal state of Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to representatives of the American government, the diplomatic corps, the business and academic communities of both countries, the gala evening was graced with their speeches by the chairman of the BiH Presidency, Željko Komšić, the congressman from Maryland, Steny H. Hoyer, the former US senator from Maryland and the former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Senate, Benjamin L. Cardin, and the deputy secretary of state of Maryland, Michael Lore. During the evening, Hoyer and Cardin were presented with a lifetime achievement award, for all the support and friendship they have provided to our country in their many decades of work. The moderator of the evening was Una Bejtović.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina remains firmly committed to a future based on peace. That path is not without challenges, but a partnership like the one we are celebrating tonight gives us confidence and a clear direction. The partnership between Maryland and BiH – both military and civilian, shows what is possible when trust, shared values and long-term commitment are united. Therefore, let’s continue to build bridges between institutions, communities and people. Let’s continue to invest in partnerships that strengthen democracy, security and peace,” said Chairman Komšić. As he pointed out, this evening is an opportunity to thank the USA for all its support to our country. He recalled that the program of cooperation between the Maryland National Guard and the Armed Forces of BiH is one of the most successful examples, thanks to which today BiH soldiers go on peacekeeping missions on an equal footing with their colleagues from many developed countries.
Benjamin L. Cardin reminded of the challenges that BiH has gone through since the declaration of independence until today. “We must continue advocating for a whole, free and peaceful Europe, as we did four decades ago. I join the Council in encouraging members of the BiH community in Maryland and across the country to actively participate in strengthening our ties,” Cardin concluded. Along with the award, Senator Cardin was presented with an original replica of the Sarajevo Haggadah. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer pointed out in his address that his desire is to see the USA alongside BiH, as a country that continuously works on reforms that will overcome the policy of ethnic divisions in order to achieve deeper and permanent integration into the EU. “The state of Maryland will be at the forefront of these efforts as BiH’s partner, providing continued hope for a peaceful and prosperous future,” Hoyer said.
Maryland’s Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Lore, welcomed all the efforts that the Exchange Council has been making for two years to turn the initial military cooperation into a civilian one. “Tonight’s event serves as a platform to connect institutions, communities and leaders, to open new avenues of cooperation in education, academic exchange and business initiatives and to emphasize the continued role of the diaspora as a bridge between Maryland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States,” concluded Lore. On behalf of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Michal Lore accepted the “Srebrenica Flower” awarded to Wes Moore by the “Mothers of Srebrenica” as a token of appreciation for promoting a culture of remembrance and declaring July 11, for two years, Srebrenica Day of Remembrance in the state of Maryland. The “flower” was presented by Selver Sulejmanović, as a survivor from Srebrenica who lives and works in Maryland.
Co-founder and chairperson of the Exchange Council, Azra Kačapor-Nurkić, thanking all those present for their extraordinary support for the Council’s work over the past two years, announced new initiatives and activities that will strengthen ties between these two countries.
“Academic, economic, diplomatic cooperation, civil protection and response to natural disasters, and the mobilization of the diaspora are the key priorities of the Council’s activities in the next five years. Each of these programs is based on already existing relationships. What we need is continuous engagement, so I invite you to stay involved, connect your companies, universities, professional networks, because partnerships become a reality through what follows after an evening like this,” said Kačapor-Nurkić.
In the musical part of the program, Uma Čizmić performed national anthems, Ivan Medić and Alden Čizmić performed numbers in a combination of Sevdalinka and Ladin in honor of Jagoda Flory, while Dr. Asim Haračić completed this part of the program with performances of traditional BiH songs. More about the activities of the Maryland-BiH Exchange Council on the official website http://www.mdbih-council.org
