In a show of strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a special event was held at the British Parliament in Westminster, London, to mark Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Independence Day. Organised in collaboration between Alicia Kearns, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network, the event brought together a number of distinguished guests, including members of the House of Lords, members of the British Parliament, community leaders, representatives of the Bosnian diaspora and friends of our homeland.
The event was a powerful reminder of the deep ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom. Baroness Arminka Helić, a member of the House of Lords and a long-standing advocate for Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the audience, expressing pride in the successful integration of the Bosnian community into British society. However, she also expressed concern about the political instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region. She called on the Bosnian diaspora in the UK to engage and contact their local representatives, asking them what the British government was doing to support Bosnia and Herzegovina. She stressed the importance of supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina so that it can address its challenges politically within its own institutions, rather than by any other means.
Dr. Anes Cerić, Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Director of the BH UK Network, spoke about the significance of this event, highlighting the contribution of the British-Bosnian community. He noted that this community serves as a bridge between the two countries, enriching British society through culture, arts, business and social engagement.
He expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support that the United Kingdom provides to Bosnians and Herzegovinans, both in the diaspora and at home. “Despite the challenges, we believe that together we can achieve more – more independence, more freedom and more dignity for all people,” he said.
His Excellency Osman Topčagić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom, reiterated Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspirations to join the European Union and NATO. However, he stressed that “dark forces from the past” continue to block necessary reforms, preventing progress and a better life for all citizens.
The Ambassador also addressed the current political crisis following the decision of the state court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to sentence the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. In response to the verdict, Dodik is attempting to block state institutions by ordering members of his party to leave them. He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina must work with international partners, including the United Kingdom, to overcome these obstacles. He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the EU and NATO would ensure long-term stability and prosperity.
The commemoration of our country’s Independence Day in the British Parliament has enormous symbolic and political importance, especially in times of global instability. This is a strong message of support from the United Kingdom to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the end of the event, a sense of unity and determination was present among those present. Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a country with great potential, and with continuous international support and the strong engagement of its diaspora, it has an opportunity for a brighter future.
Happy Independence Day, Bosnia and Herzegovina!
