Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina explained

The implementation of the Dayton Accords of 1995 has focused the efforts of policymakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the international community, on regional stabilization in the countries-successors of the former Yugoslavia. Relations with its neighbors of Croatia and Serbia have been fairly stable since the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains diplomatic relations with:


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—		^[2]
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131	Afghanistan
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133		^[3]
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175		^[4]
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Bosnia and Herzegovina does not maintain Diplomatic relations with,,,,,,,

Bilateral relations

Country	Notes
Armenia	Armenia is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina from its embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. Bosnia and Herzegovina is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Australia	Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Canberra. Australia has an Honorary Consulate in Sarajevo, however services such as passports and visas are managed by the Australian Embassy in Vienna. Bosnian migration to Australia has occurred in three main waves in the 20th century, with the biggest group coming during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. Many Bosnians arriving as refugees settled in Melbourne where they have established strong community groups and many mosques. Business links between the two countries are in their infancy with many in the Bosnian diaspora starting to build connections through groups like the "Australian Bosnian and Herzogovinian Chamber of Commerce".https://abhcc.com.au/ In 2023, Australia exported US$1.34 Million worth of goods to Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily consisting of machinery and electrical equipment.
Austria	Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Vienna. Austria has an embassy in Sarajevo.
Brazil	Bosnia and Herzegovina is accredited to Brazil from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Brazil has an embassy in Sarajevo.
Bulgaria	Bosnia and Herzegovina-Bulgaria relations are foreign relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 January 1992. Since 1996, Bulgaria has an embassy in Sarajevo.^[5] Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Sofia.^[6] Both countries are full members of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, of the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe. Bulgaria was the first country to recognize Bosnia as an independent country.
Canada	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Canada relationsBosnia and Herzegovina is represented through the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ottawa, while Canada is represented by the embassy of Canada in Budapest. Three Canadian organizations operate programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Department of National Defence (DND). Canada strongly supports the signing of the Dayton Agreement hoping it can help bring more stability to the region. Through the Canadian International Development Agency Canada has given more than CA$ 144 million in development assistance. Exports of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Canada are worth about US$ 5.31 million per year, while exports of Canada to Bosnia and Herzegovina value about US$5.34 million per year. Embassy of Canada to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia relations Discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinder final ratification of the 1999 border agreement. Sections of the Una river and villages at the base of Mount Plješevica are in Croatia, while some are in Bosnia, which causes an excessive number of border crossings on a single route and impedes any serious development in the region. The Zagreb-Bihać-Split railway line is still closed for major traffic due to this issue. The road Karlovac-Plitvice Lakes-Knin, which is on the European route E71, is becoming increasingly unused because Croatia built a separate highway to the west of it. The border on the Una river between Hrvatska Kostajnica on the northern, Croatian side of the river, and Bosanska Kostajnica on the southern, Bosnian side, is also being discussed. A river island between the two towns is under Croatian control, but is claimed by Bosnia. A shared border crossing point has been built and has been functioning since 2003, and is used without hindrance by either party. The Herzegovinian municipality of Neum on the Adriatic coast makes the southernmost part of Croatia an exclave and the two countries are negotiating special transit rules through Neum to compensate for that. Recently Croatia has opted to build a bridge to the Pelješac peninsula to connect the Croatian mainland with the exclave but Bosnia and Herzegovina has protested that the bridge will close its access to international waters (although Croatian territory and territorial waters surround Bosnian-Herzegovinian territory and waters completely) and has suggested that the bridge must be higher than 55 meters for free passage of all types of ships. Negotiations are still being held. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Zagreb and consulate-general in Rijeka. Croatia has an embassy in Sarajevo and consulates-general in Banja Luka, Livno, Mostar, and Tuzla. Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate and Croatia is an EU member.
Cyprus	Cyprus recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence on 7 February 2000, both countries established diplomatic relations on the same date. Bosnia and Herzegovina is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Tel Aviv (Israel).^[7] Cyprus is represented in Bosnia and Herzegovina through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary).^[8] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe.
Czech Republic	The Czech Republic recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence on 8 February 1992. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 April 1993. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Prague.^[9] The Czech Republic has an embassy in Sarajevo.^[10] Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe.
Denmark
Finland	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Finland relations
France	In 2019, Bosnia's presidency summoned the French ambassador Guillaume Rousson to protest over President Emmanuel Macron’s comment in an interview with British weekly The Economist that the country is a “time bomb” due to returning Islamist fighters.^[11]
Georgia	Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia established diplomatic relations in 1998. They share relations at the non-resident ambassadorial level. The first high-level visit was that paid by the BiH Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak to Tbilisi in August 2016.^[12] In January 2018, Georgia issued a protest note to BiH over the breakaway South Ossetian leader Anatoly Bibilov's visit to the Republika Srpska. In a response, the BiH Foreign Ministry stated that Georgia and Bosnia had good relations and Bosnia would not interfere into the question of South Ossetia.^[13] Crnadak also said Bibilov's visit damaged an international standing of the Republika Srpska.^[14]
Germany	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Germany relations Germany is one of the most important partners of Bosnia and Herzegovina in foreign affairs. Bilateral relations have developed steadily since diplomatic ties were established in mid-1994. Germany was closely involved in efforts to bring about peace before and after the conclusion of the Dayton Agreement. There is also a long tradition of economic relations between Germany and Bosnia. When the country was still part of the former Yugoslavia, joint ventures and cooperation played a large role here (motor industry, metal processing, textile industry/contract processing work, steel and chemicals). After the war, Germany took on a spearheading role in investments in production in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is undergoing a transitional phase from a centrally planned to a market economy. These investments are concentrated primarily in vehicle assembly and parts supply, the construction industry/cement, raw materials processing/ aluminum and regional dairy farming.^[15]
Greece	Greece recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence in 1992. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1995. Since 1998, Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Athens. Since 1996, Greece has an embassy in Sarajevo.^[16] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean, of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, of the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe. In 2006, Greece provided 80.4% of the funding for the reconstruction of the Greece–Bosnia and Herzegovina Friendship Building.
	See Holy See–Bosnia and Herzegovina relations Holy See recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence on 7 April 1992.^[17] Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1992.^[18]
Hungary	Hungary recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence on 9 April 1992. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1992. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Budapest. Hungary has an embassy in Sarajevo.^[19] Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe.
India	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–India relations
Indonesia	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Indonesia relations

Malaysia	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Malaysia relations Malaysia, under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (1981-2003), had been one of the strongest supporters of the Bosnian cause during the war and the only Asian country that accepted Bosnian refugees. Malaysia sent UN Peacekeeping troops to the former Yugoslavia. Malaysia maintains a number of investments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, one of the most significant is the Bosmal Group. Bosmal is a joint venture set up between Malaysian and Bosnian interests. A number of Bosnian students are currently studying at the International Islamic University Malaysia in Gombak. Malaysia maintains an embassy in Sarajevo and Bosnia-Herzegovina maintains an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Mexico	Bosnia and Herzegovina is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.^[20] Mexico is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.^[21]
	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–North Macedonia relations The two countries first shared the same 90s objective of pursuing independence from Yugoslavia, and in the 21st century, the common objective of joining the EU.
Pakistan	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Pakistan relations Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy close and cordial relations.^[22] Pakistan recognised the independence of Bosnia from Yugoslavia in 1992. Pakistan sent in UN Peacekeeping forces to the former Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars. During the war, Pakistan supported Bosnia while providing technical and military support to Bosnia. Pakistan and Bosnia have a free trade agreement. During the War time, Pakistan had hosted thousands of Bosnians as refugees in Pakistan.^[23] Pakistan has also provided medium-tech to high Tech weapons to Bosnian Government in the past.
Romania	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Romania relations Romania recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence on 1 March 1996, both countries established diplomatic relations on the same day. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Bucharest. Romania has an embassy in Sarajevo. Relations were described as "excellent" by the foreign ministers in 2006, ahead of the opening of the Bosnian embassy in Bucharest.^[24]
	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Russia relations Bosnia is one of the countries where Russia has contributed troops for the NATO-led stabilization force.^[25] Others were sent to Kosovo and Serbia.
Saudi Arabia	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Saudi Arabia relations Saudi Arabia has provided enormous financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina since its independence in 1992. Saudi interests also funded for the construction of the King Fahd Mosque, which is currently the largest mosque in Sarajevo. Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains an embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia maintains an embassy in Sarajevo.
Serbia	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Serbia relations Bosnia and Herzegovina filed a suit against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (present-day Serbia and Montenegro) before the International Court of Justice for aggression and genocide during the Bosnian War which was dismissed. Serbia was found responsible for failure to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.^[26] ^[27] Sections along the Drina River remain in dispute between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.^[28]
Slovenia	Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Sarajevo.
	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–South Korea relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1995.^[29]
Spain	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Spain relations Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Sarajevo.
Sweden	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Sweden relations
Turkey	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Turkey relations Turkey provided both political and financial support to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war. After the war, relations have improved even more, and today Turkey is one of BiH's top foreign investors and business partners.^[30]
Ukraine	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Ukraine relations
United Kingdom	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–United Kingdom relations Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 13 April 1992. Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains an embassy in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina through its embassy in Sarajevo, and an embassy office in Banja Luka.^[31] Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, and the OSCE. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement,^[32] and a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement.^[33]
United States	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–United States relations The 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was ended with the crucial participation of the United States in brokering the 1995 Dayton Accords. After leading the diplomatic and military effort to secure the Dayton agreement, the United States has continued to lead the effort to ensure its implementation. The United States maintains command of the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo. The United States has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to help with infrastructure, humanitarian aid, economic development, and military reconstruction in Herzegovina and Bosnia. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Support for Eastern European Democracies (SEED) has played a large role in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina, including programs in economic development and reform, democratic reform (media & elections), infrastructure development, and training programs for Bosnian professionals, among others. Additionally, there are many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have likewise played significant roles in the reconstruction.^[34]

EU accession

See main article: Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union. The accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union is one of the main political objectives of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) is the EU's policy framework. Countries participating in the SAP have been offered the possibility to become, once they fulfill the necessary conditions, member states of the EU. Bosnia and Herzegovina is therefore a potential candidate country for EU accession.^[35]

International organizations

Bank for International Settlements, Council of Europe, Central European Initiative, EBRD,Energy Community United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, FAO, Group of 77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, International Criminal Court, International Development Association, IFAD, International Finance Corporation, IFRCS, ILO, International Monetary Fund, International Maritime Organization, Interpol, IOC, International Organization for Migration (observer), ISO, ITU, Non-Aligned Movement (guest), Organization of American States (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, United Nations, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

External links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - policy priorities

Notes and References

Web site: 2022 . Datumi priznanja i uspostave diplomatskih odnosa . 26 April 2022 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina . bs.
Web site: 5 October 2012 . ODRŽAN XXIX. MEĐUNARODNI LJETNI KAMP ZA HENDIKEPIRANE MLADE OSOBE . 20 November 2023 . bs.
Web site: Rapport de Politique Extérieure 2007 . 11 October 2020 . 44 . fr.
Web site: Diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and ... . 26 March 2022 . United Nations Digital Library.
Web site: Bulgarian embassy in Sarajevo. Mfa.bg. 4 January 2018. 26 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080926173731/http://www.mfa.bg/sarajevo/index.php?lang=en. dead.
Web site: Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Bosnian embassy in Sofia. Mfa.bg. 4 January 2018.
Web site: Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Bosnian representation to Cyprus. Mfa.gov.cy. 4 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175754/http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2006.nsf/All/7E131F7AD636D54DC22571B1003E3C1C?OpenDocument. 2016-03-03. dead.
Web site: Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Cypriot representation to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mfa.gov.cy. 4 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192635/http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2006.nsf/All/1F8CC4155ED1B01DC22572790026874C?OpenDocument. 2016-03-03. dead.
Web site: Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Bosnian embassy in Prague. Czechembassy.org. 4 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20070212202737/http://www.czechembassy.org/wwwo/mzv/default.asp?id=16049&ido=10194&idj=2&amb=1. 12 February 2007. dead. dmy-all.
Web site: Czech embassy in Sarajevo. Mzv.vz. 20 February 2015.
Daria Sito-Sucic (November 8, 2019), French ambassador in Bosnia summoned over Macron's 'time bomb' remark Reuters.
News: Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister enjoys historic visit to Georgia. 12 January 2018. Agenda.ge. 16 August 2016. 13 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113035553/http://agenda.ge/news/63676/eng. dead.
News: Lakic. Mladen. Georgia Protests to Bosnia Over Ossetian Leader's Visit. https://web.archive.org/web/20180111145200/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/south-ossetia-president-visit-raise-tensions-in-bosnia-01-11-2018. dead. 11 January 2018. 12 January 2018. Balkan Insight. 11 January 2018.
News: FM Crnadak: Bibilov Meeting Damages Srpska Reputation. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093201/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30791. dead. 13 January 2018. 12 January 2018. Civil Georgia. 12 January 2018.
Web site: Diplo - Startseite - HTTP Status 404 . 2015-02-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150220231005/http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Laenderinformationen/01-Laender/BosnienHerzegowina.html . 2015-02-20 . dead .
Web site: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mfa.gr. 4 January 2018. 29 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111129092913/http://www2.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/South-Eastern+Europe/Balkans/Bilateral+Relations/Bosnia+-+Herzegovina/. dead.
Web site: Apostolska nuncijatura u BiH (Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 21 May 2013. hr.
Web site: Diplomatic Relations of the Holy See. Holyseemission.org. 21 May 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110917154324/http://www.holyseemission.org/about/diplomatic-relations.aspx. 17 September 2011.
Web site: Hungarian embassy in Sarajevo (in Hungarian only). Mfa.gov.hu. 4 January 2018. 7 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407132532/http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kulkepviselet/BH/HU. dead.
http://www.bhembassy.org/ Embassy of Bosnia in the United States
https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/serbia/ Embassy of Mexico in Serbia
Web site: Embassy of Pakistan in Bosnia-Herzegovina . 2011-01-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120303230830/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/bosnia/contents.aspx?type=statements&id=1 . 2012-03-03 . dead .
Web site: Blonde Muslims find shelter in Pakistan: Refugees from Bosnia were given a warm welcome in a distant land, Ahmed Rashid writes from Islamabad. The Independent. 25 June 1993. 20 February 2015.
News: Bosnia-Romania relations "excellent" - foreign ministers. 7 May 2006. Onasa news agency. 2009-05-07. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110719030740/http://www.csees.net/index.php?page=news&news_id=52111&country_id=6. 19 July 2011.
Web site: Defense.gov News Article: Russian Troops Arriving in Bosnia. Defense.gov. 20 February 2015.
Book: Publications, United Nations. Report of the International Court of Justice. 1988. United Nations Publications. 9789210541466. en.
Web site: International Court of Justice. icj-cij.org. fr. 2017-02-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20161219192551/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=3&case=91&p3=4. 2016-12-19. dead.
Book: Agency, United States Central Intelligence. The CIA World Factbook 2010. 2009. Skyhorse Publishing Inc.. 9781602397279. 89. en.
Web site: Search | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea .
Web site: Investicije: Koliko Turska zaista ulaže u BiH, a koliko u druge zemlje (video). 11 October 2014. Bportal.ba. 4 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145601/http://bportal.ba/investicije-koliko-turska-zaista-ulaze-u-bih-a-koliko-u-druge-zemlje-video/. 2015-04-02. dead.
Web site: British Embassy Sarajevo. GOV.UK. 27 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725170209/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-sarajevo. 25 July 2024. live.
Web site: Bosnia and Herzegovina - United Kingdom BIT (2002). UN Trade and Development. 27 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230923064622/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/634/bosnia-and-herzegovina---united-kingdom-bit-2002-. 23 September 2023. live.
Web site: Department of Health and Social Care. UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries. 24 June 2024. GOV.UK. 27 March 2024 . 13 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240613092749/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-reciprocal-healthcare-agreements-with-non-eu-countries#new-zealand. live.
Web site: Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Department of State. 20 February 2015.
Web site: European Commission - Enlargement - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Relations with the EU. Ec.europa.eu. 20 February 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090126024355/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/potential-candidate-countries/bosnia_and_herzegovina/eu_bosnia_and_herzegovina_relations_en.htm. 26 January 2009.