Newsroom

Today, Administrator Power met with members of the Bosnian American diaspora community to discuss the United States' continued commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and efforts to engage diaspora communities in strengthening democracy, governance, and economic development throughout the country.

Administrator Samantha Power met virtually with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss USAID's ongoing support for the democratic and economic aspirations of the Serbian people and current challenges to peace and stability in the region.

Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina finds itself at yet another crossroads. And the durability of its 26 years of peace are being called into question. Investigative journalists I met with yesterday spoke about the fear people across Bosnia and Herzegovina are feeling about the potential for increasing division and instability. I also spoke with a group of survivors of wartime detention camps, all from different ethnic backgrounds, all incredibly resilient and dedicated to reconciliation, but deeply concerned by the current political crisis. Deeply concerned about divisive rhetoric and believing that their experiences and their telling of their experiences, particularly the young people, offer a reminder that this country can never go back. Young leaders, public servants I spoke with yesterday also expressed how much they love their country, but openly worried for its future, and they described the cynicism that so many people have about politicians.

Administrator Power's second day in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) began at Treca Gymnazium, an educational facility that was destroyed during the war and then rebuilt in 1999 with USAID's support.

On January 20, Administrator Power was in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to reaffirm the United States' steadfast commitment to building a democratic, inclusive, prosperous future for the people of BiH.

The United States is with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in times of crisis, for sure, but hopefully also if we can get to the other side of this crisis, in times of thinking through, again, how do we expand economic opportunity for the people of this country?

I would like to thank both Minister Djapo and Minister Gašić for their leadership, for their welcome of me to their country, and for their close collaboration with USAID and the dedication that they bring to growing tourism in this country everyday. I would also like to thank Justin Reid and Tripadvisor for their partnership with USAID’s Turizam project, and their commitment to promoting the beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It’s good to be back here in Bosnia. I had the privilege to live and work here during the dark days of the war. My experience here changed my life and gave me the motivation to dedicate my career to trying to promote the cause of peace and human rights. Bosnia and Herzegovina finds itself at a very difficult crossroads now. I have just come from a meeting, a very powerful meeting, with three survivors of the wartime prisoner camps. These are individuals who suffered horribly in prisoner camps. And hearing their stories was a reminder that this country and the great people of this country can never go back. Politics are hard. But war is horrific.

On January 14, 2021, Administrator Power met with High Representative Christian Schmidt in advance of her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).