Matthew Palmer, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, paid an official visit to the Brčko District yesterday and met with the Mayor of Brčko Esed Kadrić, President of the Brčko Assembly Siniša Milić, Deputy Mayor Ante Domić and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Ivo Filipović. The meeting with District officials was attended by Brčko Supervisor Michael Scanlan.

The leaders of the Government and the Assembly of the Brčko District of B&H visited the Port of Brčko with Palmer, where the reconstruction and modernization of the only river port in B&H has begun, which will increase the competitiveness of the Brčko District of B&H in economic development.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer pointed out that it is a pleasure and honor to be on his first visit to Brčko, where, as he stated, many interesting changes are taking place.

-This is my first visit but not the last. A lot of progress has been made, and the Port of Brčko is another indicator of that. There is also the construction of a motorway and a bridge where agreements are underway. As important as the development of heavy infrastructure is, so are events related to the so-called light industry, recently adopted regulations in the field of conflict of interest regulation and public gathering, which is another indication that leaders in Brčko are able to gather around the same table, find a compromise and an agreement for the betterment of all citizens- Palmer pointed out.

The Mayor of the Brčko District of B&H, Esed Kadrić, said that Palmer recognized the activities in Brčko, which include the establishment of institutions that deal with the prevention of conflicts of interest and the fight against corruption, as well as commitment of the incumbent government to the implementation of major infrastructure projects and business initiatives of private investors who want to invest in this area.

-This is the only city, which is not the capital of a country, where Palmer came and we recognize it as a kind of support for the policies we pursue. Such visits send a message to the public that this area is of great strategic importance and I look forward to the international community recognizing Brčko's potential district of B&H, both for B&H and for the region- concluded Kadrić.