Canada-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations
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Bilateral relations
Since Bosnia and Herzegovina’s emergence as a state in 1992, the Government of Canada has played a significant role in its development, in terms of peacekeeping, security, reconstruction, institutional reform, the promotion of good governance and the rule of law, as well as the strengthening of state-level institutions.
Canada remains involved in BiH and supports BiH’s aspirations to Euro-Atlantic integration.
As a member of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) created by the Dayton Accord, Canada supports the work of the High Representative Christian Schmidt, who supervises the implementation of civilian aspects of the Dayton Accord, on political, economic, and security matters.
Canada is represented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Embassy of Canada in Budapest, Hungary. Bosnia and Herzegovina is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa.
Trade relations
Canada-Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commercial relationship is modest. Canadian merchandise exports to BiH in 2023 were $7.6 million, consisting mainly of armoured vehicles, leguminous vegetables, fruits and nuts, automobiles, and electric sound or visually signalling apparatus. Canadian merchandise imports from BiH in 2023 were $34.1 million composed primarily of electric motors, wood furniture, mattresses, vehicle air filters, footwear, and wheeled toys.
Statistics Canada does not list any Canadian Direct Investment in BiH.
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Development
Since 1995, Canada has invested over C$540 million in development projects in the region, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina has been one of the largest recipients. Canada has played a significant role in areas such as policing, mine action, human rights, and free media.
Canada's contribution to mine action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe’s most mine-affected country, has been particularly noteworthy. Since 1998, Canada has contributed $11 million for mine clearance, mine detection dog training, victim assistance programs, and the United Nations Development Programme’s Mine Action Centres throughout the country.
Operations
Following the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, some 40,000 Canadian Forces personnel served in the region (with 23 deaths). Canada’s military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which lasted almost 19 years, ended in March 2010. Canada provides training to Bosnia and Herzegovina military personnel through the Military Training and Cooperation Program, including training in the methodology and practice of peacekeeping, and English and French language instruction.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
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