Statement of Eric George Nelson
Nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
October 4, 2018
Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Murphy, it is an honor to appear before the
Committee today as the President’s nominee to serve as Ambassador to Bosnia and
Herzegovina. I am grateful for the confidence the President and the Secretary of
State have placed in me and I hope to earn your trust as well. I am accompanied
today by my partner, Filippo Tattoni, who like many other Foreign Service
spouses, has sacrificed much to support me in my career and I wish to recognize
that.
I am proud that my nomination is an example of how much the United States
values diversity. America’s diversity is fundamental to our freedoms and makes us
the innovative and dynamic nation we are. Bosnia and Herzegovina shares this
essential characteristic with a centuries-long history of religious coexistence.
I have been privileged to pursue a career in public service, beginning 35 years ago
as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia and continuing in the Foreign Service across
Europe, Latin America, and Pakistan. My grandparents’ humble examples of
service continue to inspire me. My Slovak grandparents ministered to Lutheran
congregations across Pennsylvania and Ohio. And my Swedish and Danish
grandparents survived the Great Depression tirelessly serving customers in their
diner in New Jersey. If confirmed, I will proudly lead a dedicated and successful
interagency team in Bosnia. I will look for every opportunity to shine a spotlight
on their excellence in service to America.
The United States is safer and more prosperous when Europe is indeed stable and
prosperous. When 100,000 Bosnians died and two million fled the Bosnian War of
1992-95, the United States intervened with force and diplomacy to end the war.
As a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Accords, the United States remains firmly
committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Twenty-three years of relative peace has been a great achievement, but we cannot
take this for granted. The surest path to securing a promising future is integration
into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Unfortunately, too many politicians continue to put
zero-sum ethnic nationalism and their personal enrichment ahead of critical
reforms.
If confirmed, I will focus the work of the Embassy on several priority areas:
Firstly, expanding prosperity.
A weak economy and endemic corruption undermine stability. Reforms are
critical to reduce labor taxes, improve the ease of opening a business, and privatize
bloated state enterprises. If confirmed, I will press for standards that ensure Bosnia
and Herzegovina can be an attractive destination for U.S. exports and direct
investment.
Secondly, if confirmed I will promote effective government and rule of law.
Sadly, Transparency International ranks Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of the
most corrupt countries in Europe. I will continue our Embassy’s strong efforts to
improve transparency and accountability. When local institutions fail to act, or if
peace and stability are threatened, targeted sanctions can be an effective response.
Our third priority will be improving security.
The United States will continue our efforts to counter malign foreign influence and
violent extremism, strengthen law enforcement, and increase border security.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a committed partner on counterterrorism and deploys
with Allied troops in Afghanistan. The United States supports Bosnia’s continued
progress towards NATO membership and Western democratic values.
Fourth, if confirmed I will press the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to
further human rights.
President Trump said in Warsaw last year, “Above all, we value the dignity of
every human life, we protect the rights of every person, and we share the hope of
every soul to live in freedom.”
The United States will advance democracy by promoting media freedom, religious
liberty, and education reform. If confirmed, I will advocate for accountability for
past atrocities and equal treatment before the law of all Bosnia’s citizens.
We need strong partnerships to help Bosnia and Herzegovina achieve peace with
progress. If confirmed, I will combine forces with civil society, private sector, and
our European partners. I will be eager to work with all leaders in Bosnia and
Herzegovina who share our goals and are ready to tackle corruption and implement
reform.
Mr. Chairman, I thank this Committee and other members of Congress for their
steadfast interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I thank you for your time and I look forward to your questions.
