The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering closing almost 30 diplomatic missions around the world, including two consulates in Bosnia and Herzegovina – in Mostar and Banja Luka.
This is reported by the Serbian Economist publication, citing an internal document of the US State Department.
Plans to reduce the diplomatic presence are related to the Trump administration’s intention to optimise federal budget spending. According to The New York Times, the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates is under consideration, as well as the reduction or consolidation of personnel in other foreign missions.
In Europe, embassies in Luxembourg and Malta are under threat of closure, as well as consulates in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom. In Africa, embassies in the Central African Republic, Eritrea, the Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of the Congo and South Sudan are slated for closure.
Authorities in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, commented on the possible closure of US consulates as part of the US economic strategy. The President of the
of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nenad Stevandic, noted that this reflects a change in Washington’s political course.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Sarajevo said it had no information about plans to close the consulates and continued to operate as usual.