(Washington, DC) – US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committeeissued the following statement following the unanimous authorization by the United Nations Security Council of the EUFOR Althea mandate, a peacekeeping mission that contributed to the security and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I welcome the unanimous authorization of the EUFOR Althea mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the United Nations Security Council. Recently, some political actors in the country have engaged in corrupt and undemocratic behavior that often violates the Bosnian constitution and threatens to engulf the country and the region in a serious conflict reminiscent of the violence that occurred in the 1990s. As a force of stabilizing peace, EUFOR Althea plays a vital role in supporting the European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina and keeping these bad actors in check. We support the EU’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Last month, Senator Shaheen led a congressional delegation with Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) to the Western Balkans to engage with partners amid continued Russian interference and to express support for their Euro-European aspirations. Atlantics. Last year, Senator Shaheen led bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate to strengthen ties between the United States and the Balkans with Senator Wicker (R-MS). In fall 2022, Shaheen led a bipartisan letter with Senators Tillis (R-NC), Murphy (D-CT), and Wicker to the Biden administration on the importance of EUFOR’s mandate and urged the development of a comprehensive strategy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shaheen traveled to the Western Balkans to serve as an election observer for the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovinawhich followed by a separate trip to the region with Senators Murphy and Tillis. Shaheen shared it experience as an election observer on “Balkans Debrief” with Ilva Tare. In 2015, Senators Shaheen and Wicker visited Srebrenica to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the genocide. Shaheen has condemned democratic backsliding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and worked to strengthen their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
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