The Congress of North American Bosniaks (CNAB) met with His Excellency Zeljko Komsic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday in Washington DC. , CNAB was represented by a delegation of the Board of Directors led by Mr. Haris Alibasic, President, Mr. Hamdija Custovic, Vice President, and Mr. Semir Djulic, member of the Board and representative of CNAB in the World Diaspora Association. They were also joined by the Honorable Damir Dzanko, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Washington, Mr. Amir Ibrovic, Chief of Staff for President Komsic’s cabinet, and Mr. Haris Bazdarevic, the first secretary in Bosnia and Herzegovina Embassy in USA
In a very productive and useful meeting, the parties discussed the issues concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens in the United States and Canada, particularly issues regarding dual citizenship, concerns about property ownership of the diaspora in the smaller entity of BiH, voter registration process and the need for work tenure transferability between Bosnia and Herzegovina and United States and Canada. Another topic of discussion was the current political stalemate in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the neeed for greater involvement of Bosnia and Herzegovina in supporting lobbying activities in the United States and Canada, cooperation with the State Department, the role of BiH in the U.N. Security Council, and the importance of NATO membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina. CNAB also raised concerns about the lack of a unified educational system in certain parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
CNAB President, Mr. Alibasic highlighted the importance of activities of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, and the need to expand the membership of the United States Congressional Caucus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Canadian Parliamentary BiH Friendship Group. He also mentioned the importance of supporting Bosniak American Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina because of their presence in DC.
President Komsic praised the activities and engagement of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, emphasizing that CNAB works “systematically and through personal involvement” to promote the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the states and communities in which they live. President Komsic also added that “all of Bosnia and Herzegovina can benefit greatly from the activities of the Congress of North American Bosniaks.”. He also expressed desire for further cooperation between institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Congress of North American Bosniaks, along with the Bosniak American Advisory Council and the World Diaspora Association
Mr. Semir Djulic informed president Komsic of activities surrounding the new Bosnian community center in Atlanta, GA.
Vice President, Mr. Custovic emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to make more progress in the action plan for NATO membership.
President Komsic stressed that NATO membership is one of the main priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
CNAB president, Mr. Alibasic thanked President Komsic for his support and presented him with the recent Grand Rapids proclamation regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina Statehood day and invited him to visit the cities of Grand Rapids, Charlotte, Atlanta, and other cities with significant presence of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens.
On behalf of CNAB,
Kemal Hamulic, spokesperson