On October 10, 2024, the Maryland Bosnia-Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC) held its quarterly meeting to review recent accomplishments and set future goals for strengthening ties between Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The meeting brought together key figures such as Maryland’s Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Lore; Major Jason Booth, State Partnership Program Director; First Sergeant Matthew Howland; Ensar Eminovic, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Edin Čizmić, BiH Defense Attaché to the USA; Zoran Jović, Deputy Defense Attaché of BiH to the USA and Liaison Officer to Maryland and the Maryland Army National Guard; and MBHEC co-founders Azra Nurkic, Emir Nurkic Kacapor, Adnan Hadrovic, and intern Luca Vujovic.
Key achievements were discussed, including the success of the Sister City partnership between Annapolis and Sarajevo, as well as various cultural exchanges that have deepened regional connections. The Council explored the possibility of expanding these partnerships, with Ocean City and Neum identified as potential new Sister Cities. The need for volunteers to support these efforts was emphasized, and the Council expressed interest in exploring further Sister City opportunities in Maryland, such as with Baltimore and Bethesda, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Banja Luka, Prijedor, and Mostar.
The recent flooding in Bosnia was also addressed, with members discussing the need for improved civilian disaster response. The possibility of Bosnia adopting the Maryland National Guard’s disaster response framework was considered.
Additionally, the Council highlighted the goal of enhancing economic collaboration between Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with plans to organize meetings between business leaders from both regions to foster business and investment opportunities.
