READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Durbin Travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, visited Sarajevo and Srebrenica to reaffirm U.S. support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) sovereignty, democratic development and Euro-Atlantic future. The delegation met with a member of the country's Presidency, senior BiH officials and young leaders, as well as honored the victims of the Srebrenica genocide.

In the Presidency meeting, Ranking Member Shaheen underscored the importance of upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing reforms necessary for European Union accession. She raised concerns about secessionist rhetoric and efforts to undermine state institutions, emphasizing that sustained American and European engagement-through the Office of the High Representative-remains essential to protecting the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character.

At the Srebrenica Memorial Center and Cemetery at Potocari, the Senators laid a wreath to honor the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys murdered in the July 1995 genocide. Ranking Member Shaheen reiterated her longstanding commitment to genocide remembrance and accountability and stressed that the Center must be able to preserve the historical record free from intimidation. She reiterated that genocide denial and the glorification of convicted war criminals threaten reconciliation and the region's hard-won peace.

The delegation attended a performance by young musicians and spoke with BOLD young leaders about entrepreneurship, community projects and educational exchanges. Senator Shaheen highlighted the youth leadership provisions of the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, which codified the program as the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative.

Ranking Member Shaheen also participated in a ceremony at Sarajevo City Hall recognizing her honorary citizenship and thanked the city for the honor. The Senators met with U.S. Embassy leadership and the country team to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, and thanked the Embassy's Marine Security Detachment for its service protecting American diplomatic personnel and facilities.

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