Relations between Latvia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are good. There is significant potential for relations between the two states, with Bosnia and Herzegovina moving toward full integration with Europe and within international organizations.

European and Euro-Atlantic integration prospects are the surest guarantee for safeguarding peace, security, stability and economic development in the region. Latvia, as an EU and NATO member country, supports European and Euro-Atlantic prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other countries in the West Balkans. Latvia supports initiatives which advance these countries towards EU integration. 

At present, two Latvian police experts are working with the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the purpose of which is to develop a state police based on EU principles. Latvia has been a participant in peace missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1996. In 2007, two Latvian soldiers participated in the European Union Force (EUFOR) - Althea operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[1]

Bosnia and Herzegovina's first step on the path to the European Union were the talks begun in November 2005 on concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Latvia supports the conclusion of this agreement, if Bosnia and Herzegovina is able to fulfil its necessary pre-conditions. Especially meaningful will be the work accomplished by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the government reform process and in the strengthening of government institutions, as well as in its co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

In consideration of stability and progress achieved in the field of defence, Bosnia and Herzegovina (along with Serbia and Montenegro) was invited to join the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme on 29 November 2006, during the NATO Summit in Riga.

Latvia also supports Bosnia and Herzegovina being accepted as a member of the World Trade Organization, if the necessary pre-conditions are met.

History of Diplomatic Relations

Latvia established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina on 19 April, 1996.

Martins Lacis was the first Latvian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2003-2004), residing in Athens. Janis Eichmanis fulfilled the duties of Ambassador from 7 October 2004 to 6 January 2006.

Presently Latvia does not have an ambassador in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Izeta Serdarevic was the first Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Latvia (1996-1999). Hasa Dervisbegovic was the acting Ambassador from 1999 to 2003, followed by Mediha Filipovic (2003-2006), residing in Stockholm.  

Sead Maslo is the current Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Latvia. He was accredited on 12 September, 2006 and resides in Copenhagen.

Co-operation in trade and economy

Economic co-operation between Latvia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is not on an intense level. The volume of mutual trade is small.

In 2006 Latvia exported to Bosnia and Herzegovina mainly machinery, equipment and electrical appliances, with a total value of EUR 740,701. Latvia has a negative trade balance with Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 30 March 2007, one joint venture of Latvia and Bosnia Herzegovina has been listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia.

The dynamics of trade between Latvia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (volume in millions of USD) from 2002 to 2006 

Years	Export	Rank	Import	Rank	Total turnover
2002	0.1	92	0.01	103	0.1
2003	0.1	91	0.001	124	0.2
2004	0.1	109	0.1	99	0.2
2005	0.29	105	0.07	98	0.36
2006	0.04	132	0.74	70	0.78

The most significant visits and meetings in the context of international conferences and forums

29-30 May 2007	Visit to Latvia by Igor Crnadak, Deputy Minister for Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina
21-22 September 2005	Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina by Edgars Rinkevics, State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Defence
22 October 2004	Visit to Latvia by Mladen Ivanic, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
21 March 2003	Visit to Sarajevo by Indulis Berzins, Foreign Minister of Latvia (as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe)

Legislative framework

On 29 May 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministries of Defence of Latvia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Agreement between the Republic of Latvia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Promotion and Protection of Investments and the Protocol of Co-operation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in preparation.

Links

Foreign Ministry of Bosnia and Herzegovina - http://www.mvp.gov.ba/index_eng.htm

EU policy in the western Balkans - http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/

[1] EUFOR - Althea is the EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 1 January 2005.