LJUBLJANA/SARAJEVO, 25 June 2026 – The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, which has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN/ECOSOC) in New York and is the publisher of the international scholarly journal European Perspectives, marked 25 years of successful work, international cooperation and the promotion of peace, democracy, dialogue and sustainable development with a ceremonial ceremony for the awarding of the IFIMES Gold Medal.
Opening the ceremony, IFIMES Director Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović, emphasized that for a quarter of a century, the Institute has been operating as an international platform for connecting states, institutions, the academic community and decision-makers, promoting dialogue, understanding, security and regional cooperation.
A special honor was bestowed upon the ceremony by the Honorary President of IFIMES, Stjepan Mesić, former President of the Republic of Croatia, who presented this year's IFIMES Gold Medals. The ceremony was also attended by the Director of the Institute Bakhatyar Aljaf and the Vice President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Academician Mirko Pejanović.
On the occasion of the anniversary, the IFIMES Gold Medal was awarded to prominent individuals from the fields of politics, science, higher education, media, security, economy, justice, engineering and civil society, in recognition of their exceptional professional contribution, social responsibility and promotion of universal values.
This year's laureates are: Elvir Švrakić, Major General Mirsad Ahmić, Gojko Berić, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Prof. Dr. Ešref Gačanin, Prof. Dr. Mirsad Hadžikadić, Prof. Dr. Emerita Mira Šunjić-Beus, Dr. Edita Kalajdžić, Amir Zukić, Nandino Škrbić, Osman Mulahalilović, Prof. Dr. Enver Backović, Lejla Karović, Muhamed Pilav, Adnan Delić, Dr. Safet Gerxhialu, Nihad Dedić, Dejan Azeski and Bogić Bogićević.
The posthumous IFIMES Gold Medal was awarded to Pane Škrbić and Prof. Dr. Emeritus Željko Šain for their exceptional contribution to the development of society, the academic community, and regional cooperation.
The award was also presented to Mirjana Pavoković, long-time head of the Office of the former President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, for her exceptional contribution to public service and the development of regional dialogue.
Gojko Berić spoke on behalf of all the laureates, thanking IFIMES for the recognition and emphasizing the importance of preserving professional integrity, free public speech, and democratic values.
Closing the ceremony, the director of IFIMES prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović said that this year's laureates have shown through their life and professional activities that knowledge, responsibility, moral integrity and serving the public interest are the most important foundations of any democratic and prosperous society.
„In the coming period, IFIMES will continue to recognize and connect individuals whose work contributes to peace, stability, regional cooperation, the development of democratic institutions and the building of mutual trust. Our mission remains the promotion of dialogue, international cooperation and universal values that connect people and nations," said Bećirović.
Celebrating 25 years of IFIMES' work is a confirmation of the Institute's international reputation and its ongoing commitment to contributing to the stability, security and sustainable development of Southeast Europe, the Balkans and the wider international space through scientific research, international dialogue and public engagement.
Ljubljana/Sarajevo, 25 June 2026
