Last updated in July 2009
Political relations
Germany established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in mid-1994. Since then, bilateral relations have developed steadily. For instance, through its engagement in the Contact Group, Germany was closely involved in efforts to promote peace and was instrumental in bringing about the Dayton Agreement. Even after conclusion of the agreement, German commitment continued, for example in the Steering Committee of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), at donor conferences and in the framework of economic cooperation by providing large contingents for the EU military mission EUFOR and the EU police mission (EUPM). German has also supported numerous projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Today, Germany is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important foreign policy partners.
Since 1 November 2008, the EU police mission (EUPM) has been headed by a German, Stefan Feller. Currently, there are still around 130 German troops stationed in the country as part of the EU military operation EUFOR ALTHEA.
Bosnia and Herzegovina regards Germany as one of its major advocates in Europe as well as a supporter of the local reform process and of efforts to bring the country closer to the European Union.
Economic relations
Back when the country was still part of the former Yugoslavia, there were joint ventures and cooperation with Germany (automobile 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 focus primarily on vehicle assembly and parts supply, the construction industry/cement, raw materials processing/aluminium, regional dairy farming and banking.
In recent years, there has been a strong increase in the volume of trade between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany. Germany is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three principal trading partners. A bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement entered into force on 11 November 2007. A double taxation agreement dating from 1988 is still in force.
German companies have been investing in Bosnia and Herzegovina for many years. In summer 2007, a German-Bosnian/Herzegovinan Business Association was set up, which now has around 60 members.
Cultural relations
Overall conditions
Cultural relations between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina are comparatively close on account of the geographical proximity. The experiences of guest workers from the former Yugoslavia in Germany and the approximately 300,000 returned civil war refugees constitute an important bridge between the two countries and have helped consolidate Germany’s positive image in the country. That is why there is keen interest in the German language and German culture. To promote cooperation, a cultural agreement – proposed by the German side and signed by the two countries’governments – entered into force on 4 January 2006.
Academic institutions and higher education
There are two German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) academic teachers working in Sarajevo and Banja Luka. In addition, an academic teacher from the Robert Bosch Foundation has been working at the Džemal Bijedić University in Mostar since 2004. There are also a number of guest lecturers from Germany working in the country.
According to the Association of Universities and other Higher Education Institutions in Germany (HRK), there are currently 14 partnerships between German universities and academic institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Goethe Institute
The Goethe Institute in Sarajevo is active nationwide. Its premises also include an infotheque and a Deutsche Welle information point. Currently, more than 2,500 teaching units are offered every year. Outside Sarajevo, the Goethe Institute is engaged in various cooperation projects with local partners and runs teaching aid centres in Banja Luka (1), Mostar (2), Bihać (1) and Tuzla.
German schools and German language teaching
Under the teacher secondment programme, a specialist adviser and four teachers from the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) are working in Sarajevo (2), Banja Luka and Mostar. They play a key role in promoting German as a foreign language in schools. In autumn 2008, seven schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected as Goethe Institute partner schools under the “Schools – Partners for the Future” initiative (PASCH). In addition, there are nine partner schools offering instruction leading to the German Language Diploma.
In Sarajewo, Mostar und Banja Luka, there are also approved examination centres for the German language diploma (DSD).
The Central Agency for Schools Abroad supports a quantitative and qualitative expansion of German instruction at schools and the brokering of school partnerships. Since the 2003/2004 school year, at many schools German has only been taught as a second foreign language – and often only for two periods a week, which makes it difficult for students to obtain the German Language Diploma. The Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) offers grants for further-education courses in Germany.
Political foundations
There are branch offices of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Sarajevo, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation also has a small representation there. In accordance with their general remit, the political foundations are engaged in a large number of projects including adult civic education.
Media
Deutsche Welle (DW) has signed rebroadcasting agreements with 37 television stations and five cable network operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 66 radio stations broadcast its programmes in the Bosnian, Croat and Serbian languages. In east Sarajevo, Radio Kometa has four transmitters broadcasting, in the morning and early afternoon, a Metropolis Radio programme in the national languages (including Romani) as well as in German and English to listeners in the area between Sarajevo and Vishegrad.
