(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, led a Senate resolution to reaffirm U.S. support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
“Though Bosnia and Herzegovina faces a precarious political situation as some leaders engage in dangerous, anti-democratic behavior, the Bosnian people have proven that they are committed to working towards a prosperous democratic future,” said Senator Shaheen. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution, which signals strong support for their Euro-Atlantic aspirations. This sends a strong message to some political leaders who use dangerous rhetoric to undermine and threaten peace and stability in the country. Bolstering democracy around the world has never been as critical as it is today as we watch the Ukrainian people fight for freedom, and as Russia looks to increase their malign influence on the leaders of nations across Europe.”
“I am proud to work with Senator Shaheen on this important resolution. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve a democratic, secure, and prosperous future,” said Senator Ricketts. “In the face of ethno-nationalist agendas, endemic corruption, and Russia’s malign influence, it is critical that the U.S. continues to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the reforms necessary for EU membership and a deeper partnership with NATO.”
Senator Shaheen is leading bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate to strengthen U.S.-Balkan ties with Senator Wicker (R-MS). In the fall, Shaheen led a bipartisan letter with Senators Tillis (R-NC), Murphy (D-CT) and Wicker wrote a letter to the Biden administration on the importance of the EUFOR mandate and urged the development of a comprehensive strategy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shaheen traveled to the Western Balkans in October to serve as an election monitor for the Bosnia and Herzegovina elections, which followed a separate trip to the region in April with both Senators Murphy and Tillis. Shaheen shared her experience as an election monitor on ‘Balkans Debrief’ with Ilva Tare. Together, Shaheen and Tillis serve as co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which they re-established together in 2018.
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