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, Montenegro and Serbia have been fairly stable since the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995.
Foreign relations
Overview
thumb|400px|Diplomatic relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has no diplomatic relations with:
Bhutan
Kiribati, Micronesia, Niue, Palau, Tonga, Papua New Guinea
Central African Republic, Lesotho, Madagascar, Somalia
States with limited recognition
EU accession
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.
Foreign support
Bosnia and Herzegovina receives support from donor programs of:
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
European Union
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
International Monetary Fund
USAID
In the 3 years since the Dayton Accords were signed, over $4 billion in foreign aid has flown into Bosnia, about $800 million of it coming from SEED funds.
As stated above, this support has been key to the growth and revitalization of the economy and infrastructure in the republic.
However, most of this aid has been targeted at the Federation; the previous government of the RS was anti-Dayton and not assisted by the U.S.
The election of the "Sloga" or "Unity" Coalition government, led by Prime Minister Dodik, has shifted the balance of power in the Republika Srpska (RS) to a pro-Dayton stance and will result in an upsurge of funding to the RS from the international community.
In addition to SEED funding, USAID programs have been crucial to the redevelopment of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
USAID has programming in the following areas: economic policy reform and restructuring; private sector development (the Business Development Program); infrastructure rebuilding; democratic reforms in the media, political process and elections, and rule of law/legal code formulation; and training programs for women and diplomats.
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) Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 7,269 (Croatia)
IDPs: 131,600 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced in 1992-95 war) (2007)
Illicit drugs
Increasingly a transit point for heroin being trafficked to Western Europe; minor transit point for cannabis; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of corruption.
See also
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Monetary Fund
List of diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina
List of diplomatic missions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens
References
External links
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - policy priorities
