Sarajevo, 5 November 2026 – In an interview with Federal Television, Zlatko Lagumdžija, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ambassador to the United Nations, affirmed that the United States’ approach toward Bosnia and Herzegovina has remained “consistent and clearly recognizable” since the war’s end in 1992. Lagumdžija stressed that, regardless of which party holds power in Washington, U.S. policy continues to support Bosnia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, political independence, and its status as a multietnic state.

The ambassador linked this continuity to the recent U.S. midterm elections, which resulted in a Democratic victory. While Lagumdžija acknowledged that the election will bring “significant changes” to American domestic politics, he argued that the shift will also shape foreign policy in a way that reinforces the United States’ multietnic values abroad. “The election result shows a preference for a different America, a multietnic America, and that will be reflected in foreign policy regardless of which administration is in power,” he said.

Lagumdžija highlighted a concrete sign of this renewed enthusiasm: an increase in the number of members of Congress who are friendly toward Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Naturally, from Congress we can expect a somewhat different approach, but when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, nothing else should be expected – the number of friends in Congress has simply grown,” he added.

The ambassador also warned that the new political landscape could affect Bosnian politicians who have previously enjoyed support from the United States. He specifically referenced Milorad Dodik, the former president of the Republika Srpska, suggesting that the post‑election environment will make it harder for those who backed his policies to maintain influence. “Those who stood behind that policy will flee after these elections, as will those who are coming now,” Lagumdžija said.

Lagumdžija clarified the distinction between official diplomatic engagements and private events, referring to an upcoming conference titled “Gathering of Visionaries.” While Dodik is scheduled to attend, the ambassador stressed that the gathering is not an official state meeting and that Dodik will not deliver a speech. He noted that the basic VIP ticket for the event costs $95,000, covering “one evening, two plates,” and warned against conflating the conference with formal diplomatic representation.

Finally, Lagumdžija cautioned against relying on lobbying or private money to influence U.S. policy, emphasizing that official diplomatic channels remain the primary avenue for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s interests. “There are no lobbyists or millions that can explain that he is the guardian of western democratic values in our part of the world,” he concluded.

The statements come at a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks to consolidate its international support while navigating internal political challenges and the evolving stance of its most influential external partner.

Sources (learn more):

aa.com.tr — https://www.aa.com.tr/ba/svijet/lagumd%C5%BEija-politika-sad-a-prema-bih-ostaje-konzistentna-pove%C4%87ao-nam-se-broj-prijatelja-u-kongresu/4112409