Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium

Belgium recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10 April 1992. Full diplomatic relations were established on 03 March 1994 when Belgium nominated non-residential ambassador to BiH.

Since May 1992 authorized Representation of BiH existed in Brussels. In 1993 Representation of BiH was transformed to the Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium as well as to the Mission of BiH to the EU and NATO.


The Ambassador of Belgium in Vienna has been non-residential Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Consular affairs have been carried out by the Embassy of Belgium in Zagreb. Economic affairs have been carried out by the Embassy of Belgium in Ljubljana. Military affairs have been carried out by a Military Attaché of Belgium in Belgrade. At the beginning of 2005 Belgium opened its Diplomatic Office in BiH.

Belgium holds the view that all countries in the Western Balkans are suitable for membership of the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Belgium is in favor of the conditionality that the Stabilisation and Association Process imposes. The intended conditionality refers to all countries in the region having to comply with the texts that lay the foundations for stability (Dayton/Paris Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Ohrid Framework Agreement and the Belgrade Agreement). It also entails more regional cooperation, the return home of displaced persons and full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Belgium is financing the activities of international institutions active in the region and the execution of a number of projects. This contribution entails sending qualified personnel to the Balkans (troops, police and experts) as well as cooperating by promoting the transfer of knowledge.

Belgian troops took part in the EU Mission in BiH, Althea. Before that, Belgian troops took part in both IFOR (Implementation Force) and SFOR (Stabilisation Force) missions in BiH. Belgian judge has been engaged in the work of the Court of BiH.

Succession of Bilateral Agreements

By the notification of the Agreement of Succession, BiH took over four conventions that former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia signed with the Kingdom of Belgium, and which represent sufficient legal framework for cooperation between BiH and the Kingdom of Belgium in judicial matters.

1. Convention on extradition and legal assistance in criminal matters, signed on 04 June 1971;

2. Convention on issuance of extracts (certificates) from registers and liberation from legalization, signed on 24 September 1971;

3. Agreement on legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, signed on 24 September 1971;

4. Convention on recognition and execution of court decisions on alimony, signed on 12 December 1973.


Signed Bilateral Agreements

1. Agreement on establishing diplomatic-consular relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Belgium;

2. Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on providing financial assistance of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed on 12 March 1998;

3. Agreement on debt consolidation, signed on 14 July 1999;

4. Agreement on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgian-Luxembourg Economic Union, signed on 03 March 2004;

5. Agreement on social security between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Belgium, signed on 07 March 2006;

6. Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Governments of the Benelux countries concerning the readmission and reconduction of persons who have entered and/or are residing without authorization and the Protocol for the Agreement implementation, signed on 19 July 2006;

7. Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Benelux counties on visa abolishment for holders of a diplomatic passport, signed on 19 July 2006.


Negotiated bilateral agreements

1. Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on cooperation in fighting crime, especially terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and organized crime;

2. Agreement on road transport between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Belgium.


Bilateral agreements to be considered

1. Agreement on legal assistance in civil matters;

2. Agreement on mutual execution of court decisions in criminal matters.


Air Traffic Management is based on the Multilateral Agreement ECAA (European Common Aviation Area). In the case of establishment of direct flights between Sarajevo and Brussels, bilateral consultations would take place in order to conclude the Agreement on air traffic.