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CIA Director William Burns arrived in Sarajevo today.

It is understood Burns will hold several meetings in the Bosnia and Herzegovina capital today and he also plans to meet with the Intelligence and Security Service(OSA)Director AlMirZuwo(Almir Džuvo) and members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

This is not Burns' first visit to Bosnia, as he has previously been to the capital as an assistant to the US Secretary of State.

At the time, Burns was particularly interested in the political situation in Bosnia and the work of the Office of the High Representative.

Interestingly, Burns later showed a particular interest in the question of the functioning of state assets and the current problems in this context.

Considering Burns’s many stays in Bosnia, the CIA director can be considered an excellent expert on the situation in Bosnia.

"In all of my meetings, I have made clear that we remain firmly committed to and supportive of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement," Burns said during a 2012 visit to Bosnia.

In addition, Burns later confirmed that Washington supports the work of the OHCHR.

"While success depends on the readiness and commitment of this country's leaders and citizens, the United States of America has been, is, and always will be a true friend of this country and will support a modern, stable, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina that is fully integrated into Europe," Burns said at the time.

Burns was appointed CIA Director in 2021, and President Biden promoted him to the Cabinet in June 2023.

During his rich and long career, Burns served in six presidential administrations, and his career spanned more than four decades.

CIA director in Bosnia stresses US support and 'worrying' comments from Republika Srpska president

CIA Director William Burns was in Sarajevo on August 20 to discuss "worrying separatist rhetoric and actions" by the pro-Russian president and the Serb entity government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a U.S. government official said.

The U.S. official said Burns had just arrived in Bosnia from a diplomatic visit to Israel as part of U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. He held talks at the Bosnian presidential palace with colleagues in the intelligence services, members of the presidency and the foreign minister.

“They discussed issues of mutual concern, including the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik is the pro-Russian president of Bosnia, the Serb entity. Dodik has drawn attention from Bosnia's Western allies because of his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In February, after meeting with Putin in Russia's Tatarstan republic, Dodik reiterated that Republika Srpska would not join the West in imposing sanctions against Moscow over its all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Dodik's comments have been one of the main obstacles in Bosnia's progress towards EU accession since it became a candidate country for membership of the European Union in 2022.

Bosnia's Intelligence and Security Service chief, Almir Dzuvo, confirmed earlier that Burns was in Sarajevo. In a meeting with Dzuvo, Burns "expressed support for cooperation between the United States and Bosnian intelligence services," the Bosnian intelligence chief said.

Bosnia's Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic also met with Burns. Konakovic said Bosnia "has reaffirmed its full support for Bosnia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and condemnation of separatist messages and actions."

Konarkovic told reporters that while he could not comment on certain parts of the discussion, a general message was conveyed that the U.S. government was "very clear that Bosnia's foreign policy partners remain firmly with Bosnia and Herzegovina."

He added that the visit of a senior U.S. administration official showed the U.S. commitment and that Bosnia "is a top priority for U.S. foreign policy and it's very important to us."

The last CIA director to visit Bosnia was John Brennan in 2016.

Sources told reporters that Željka Čivjanovic, who was designated for sanctions by the US Treasury for threatening the Dayton Agreement, attended the meeting of the Bosnian president. She is a member of Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and a member of the Bosnian state presidency.