MINSK, 3 July (BelTA) - A solemn reception on the occasion of Belarus' Independence Day was held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the first time in the history of bilateral relations, BelTA has learned.
The event was attended by the heads of state institutions of the country and its regions, representatives of the business community and the diplomatic corps accredited in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the event, Belarusian Ambassador to Hungary and concurrently to Bosnia and Herzegovina Aleksandr Ponomarev noted the positive trend to intensify bilateral ties between Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in trade and economy, the parties' focus on the development of the legal framework in order to promote business and inter-human contacts. BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac also made a welcoming speech as a guest of honor.
During the visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Aleksandr Ponomarev also held meetings with representatives of a number of ministries and the business community.
Diplomatic relations between Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina were established on 22 November 1993. In March 2014, the Belarusian Embassy in Hungary was accredited in BiH. BiH's interests in Belarus are represented by BiH's embassy in Russia.
In June 2019, President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik made an official visit to Belarus. Following his meetings with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the government senior members, the parties reached a number of agreements to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including the one to open an office of honorary consul of Belarus in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2020, the trade between Belarus and BiH amounted to $11.7 million. Belarus' major exports are parts and spare parts to trucks and tractors, tires, trucks, furniture and its parts.
