GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY MEETS WITH BOSNIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today met with members of the Bosnian parliamentary delegation, who have been conducting a variety of diplomatic visits as part of the Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

The State Partnership Program was originally designed as outreach by the U.S. to new democracies in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union.

“I want to welcome the parliamentary delegation of Bosnia here to the State of Maryland. 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. These are exciting times for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Maryland is proud to help our friends in their time of transition.”

The Bosnian delegation’s visit is especially timely as Bosnia-Herzegovina submitted a request for membership action plan to NATO last week. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also in cooperation with NATO Allies and Partner countries in a range of other areas through the Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

Over the summer this year, Governor O’Malley traveled to Sarajevo 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. During his trip, Governor O’Malley was under the auspices of the State Partnership Program, which brings together U.S. states and territories and their respective National Guard units with new or emerging democracies throughout the world.

The State of Maryland and Maryland’s National Guard 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 Maryland National Guard’s relationship with the Bosnian military has encompassed a wide range of military-to-military, military-to-civilian and civilian–to-civilian efforts with an emphasis on civil and military cooperation within the context of civilian control of a professional military. The Maryland Military Department also has shared best practices related to state emergency management processes, procedures and techniques through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.