Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković spoke with US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Durbin about the partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America and the importance of continuous US engagement in preserving peace, security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
Minister Konaković informed the senators about the current political situation and the held general elections. He pointed to continuous anti-constitutional and secessionist activities and blockades of institutions and warned of the role of Milorad Dodik as the key bearer of Russian influence in BiH, whose actions threaten the country’s constitutional order and regional stability.
In this context, he emphasized the importance of the senators’ consistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, their letters to the administration of US President Donald Trump and the request for the application of sanctions against individuals responsible for destabilizing and undermining democratic institutions. He thanked for the engagement, which follows political support by insisting on concrete measures and responsibility.
Konaković particularly emphasized the senator’s timely and decisive reaction in protecting the Srebrenica Memorial Center and its mission of preserving the truth about the genocide and honoring the victims, without pressure or intimidation. More than thirty years later, there remains an ongoing responsibility to preserve the memory of the victims, support their families, and oppose any attempt to deny or erase the truth. He emphasized that such a reaction has special weight in the context of historical revisionism and the glorification of convicted war criminals. As part of that context, he mentioned Serbia’s institutional participation in the transportation and burial of the remains of Ratko Mladić, who was legally convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. He emphasized the importance of the senator’s warning that rewriting history for political gain deepens divisions and threatens peace.
The minister gave special recognition to Senator Shaheen’s long-term engagement, whose contribution was recognized by the award of Honorary Citizen of Sarajevo, and thanked both senators for their permanent friendship and support for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
