Angelina Jolie thanks people of Sarajevo for honorary citizenship

Angelina Jolie has thanked the people of Bosnia for making her an honorary citizen of Sarajevo.

The actress-turned-director stepped behind the camera last year (11) to make In the Land of Blood and Honey, about a romance between a Serbian soldier and a Bosnian woman during the 1990s war in the troubled region.

Her efforts were praised by government officials at the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton Parliament for drawing attention to the area and they decided to award her with a special citizenship prize.

A ceremony was held on Thursday (03May12) at Sarajevo's National Theater, where a pre-recorded video message from Jolie was played to the audience.

In the clip, she said, "I am deeply grateful to the citizens of Sarajevo and the Sarajevo Canton assembly for bestowing upon me this incredible honor of citizenship. I am so proud to now be a part of such an extraordinary part of the world and fellow citizen to the people I deeply love and admire.

"I wish I could be there with all of you tonight, and I look forward to visiting in July when I can properly accept and personally express my gratitude."