Shaheen Welcomes Sanctions Announced by Biden Administration on Corrupt Individuals in Bosnia & Herzegovina

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s decision to designate sanctions on individuals involved in significant corruption and destabilizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

“I welcome this announcement from the Biden administration, and in particular its decisive action to sanction Milorad Dodik and a media outlet under his control. Dodik, the Serbian member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, has been involved in efforts to actively undermine the stability and territorial integrity of his own country. Over 20 years ago, the United States played a critical role in bringing peace and stability to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but recent signs indicate that malign actors from both within and outside its borders seek to prevent Bosnia’s democratic advancement. That doesn’t just endanger the country’s future, but it robs future generations of the chance to make a prosperous livelihood and threatens the security of the entire region. It is critical that we continue to hold corrupt actors to account and work closely with our allies to uphold the Dayton Accords. As Subcommittee chair on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, I’ll keep working to advance U.S. policy toward the Balkans to ensure that decades of progress were not made in vain.”

###