Germany established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992 and has for many years been funding conflict prevention projects through the Regional Cooperation Council (formerly the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe).

The 2015‑2018 reform agenda which Germany helped initiate has played a part in reviving Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economic and social reform process and in moving the country closer to the EU. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU entered into force in 2015. On 15 February 2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its EU accession application, and the European Council granted EU candidate status on 15 December 2022.

Since the Dayton Peace Agreement, Germany has been at the forefront of moves to invest in manufacturing industries in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The key sectors are automotive parts and the metal industry, as well as agriculture, forestry and the timber processing industry. Germany has been one of the country’s main economic partners for years. In 2022, the volume of trade totalled 2.8 billion euro.

Germany is one of the country’s principal donors in the field of economic cooperation. In this context, the Federal Government supports sustainable economic development, infrastructure measures, renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as democracy and civil society.

Cultural relations between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina are close on account of the two countries’ geographical proximity and multifaceted cooperation. A bilateral cultural agreement has been in place since 2006.

The Goethe-Institut is active in Sarajevo with a wide-ranging programme, organising numerous events.

Academic and scientific exchange is also important. There is one German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) lector in the country in Sarajevo.

Six FIT schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected as Goethe-Institut partner schools under the Schools: Partners for the Future initiative (PASCH). In addition, in the PASCH network, the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) currently assists 18 schools that offer instruction leading to the German Language Certificate (DSD). German is taught at many of the country’s schools as the second foreign language, after English.

Information about German development cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.