By: Nevena Šarenac
In the building of the US Embassy to Sarajevo last night an official ceremony was held to mark the Day of Independence of the US. The host was US Ambassador to BiH Patrick Moon.
Representatives of the BiH political, public, cultural and religious life, a number of international officials, members of the diplomatic and military corps and other guests attended the ceremony.
This year’s celebration of 4 July was a bittersweet experience for Ambassador Moon, since this will be the last time he will celebrate Independence Day in Sarajevo as the US Ambassador.
Last night’s 4 July celebration was also a farewell ceremony for Moon, who is leaving BiH after a three-year mandate.
“The US government remains fully dedicated to the full integration of BiH in Europe, despite the lack of progress in the resolution of key issues in the last three years’’, said Ambassador Moon in his farewell speech.
He said that the US remains committed to the Dayton principle of a sovereign and functional BIH consisting of two dynamic entities and the District of Brčko that is based on the equality of three constituent peoples and the ‘Others’.
“We will not give up our support to a multicultural BiH that draws its strength from diversity and respecting the values of others. We know that these goals are achievable-even inevitable in a world of change’’, added the US Ambassador to BiH.
The US will continue to provide support to citizens and politicians who are trying to make democratic changes in a peaceful way and who are ready to achieve mutual goals that benefit all.
Despite the many challenges that BiH is facing, Moon is an optimist when it comes to the future of BIH due to the dedication and inspiration of the many people he met during the last three years in our country.
“I firmly believe that you have the power to change your country in a peaceful way, that you have the power to establish a better future here, that you can make BIH stable, prosperous, multiethnic democracy that we all want. You will be confronted with many challenges, and even declines, but I am convinced that you will overcome all of that. You can be assured that the US will always be your reliable partner’’, said Ambassador Moon.
He said that committed citizens from all over BiH are diligently working to improve the quality of life, access to employment, strengthening democracy and protecting human rights.
“They represent a new generation of citizens who have common goals and hope for a better country and future. I believe in them. I am sure that with time these ‘agents of change’ will have success where political leaders did not’’, said Moon.
Speaking to the audience, Moon expressed gratitude that BiH opened the doors to its culture, rich history and offered friendship to him and his family.
Independence Day is a state holiday where the American Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. The history and political tradition of the US is celebrated on this day.
