Governor O’Malley Participates in Discussions with Military and Civilian Leadership in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Click here to see more photos from the Governor's trip to Europe.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 8, 2009)–Governor Martin O’Malley traveled to Sarajevo today to participate in discussions with military and civilian representatives of the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, business leaders representing the local chamber of commerce, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of his one-day visit.
Governor O’Malley is in Bosnia-Herzegovina under the auspices of the State Partnership Program, which brings togetherU.S. states and territories and their respective National Guard units with new or emerging democracies throughout the world. The State of Maryland and the Balkan nation have enjoyed an official partnership since 2003. During that time, Maryland has worked closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina in fostering democracy, encouraging a market-based economy and promoting regional cooperation and stability.
“The State of Maryland very much values its partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and looks forward to continuing that partnership for years to come,” said Governor O’Malley. “Together, we have an opportunity to work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest, not just from a military perspective, but a business and economic perspective, particularly now as we manage through the effects of a challenging global economic environment.”
While in Sarajevo, the Governor met with Charles L. English, U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nebojsa Radmanovic, member of the Tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Dr. Selmo Citokic, Minister of Defense for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Governor also met with local business leaders during a luncheon hosted by the local chamber of commerce, where he discussed opportunities of mutual interest that may exist between the State of Maryland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Later today, the Governor will be traveling to the Republic of Estonia, another partner country with Maryland under the State Partnership Program. While there, Governor O’Malley will meet with representatives of Estonia’s ministries of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defense.
“Our visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a tremendous opportunity for the Governor to experience first-hand the value of the State Partnership Program for both our governments,” said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of Maryland and Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. “Through this unique and innovative program, we are making a difference – not just for the short term, but long term future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that’s something we can all take great pride in.”
The Maryland National Guard conducts an average of 20 partner events each year with Bosnia and Herzegovina. An example involved the deployment of Maryland Air National Guard engineers in July 2008 to renovate a primary school in the town of Vlasenica and the Mount Igman War Memorial, which was dedicated to the three American diplomats and a French Soldier who lost their lives during the Bosnian War.
The State of Maryland’s unofficial relationship with Bosnia-Herzegovina actually dates back to January 1996 and the deployment of the Maryland Army National Guard’s 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the first Army National Guard unit to deploy to Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately following the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords. Additionally, Marylanders with the Maryland Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division Light deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Fall of 2001 as part of Stabilization Force (SFOR) 10.
Currently, more than 280 Soldiers and Airmen of the Maryland National Guard are deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. More than 10,500 Soldiers and Airmen of the Maryland National Guard have mobilized and deployed since 9-11 for Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Jump Start, KFOR as well as hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav.
