![Bosnia and Herzegovina [Shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bosnia-2115x1406.jpg)
Ambassador Eric Nelson
International Travel Information
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August 27, 2021
U.S. Relations With Bosnia and Herzegovina
Highlights
October 20, 2021
July 28, 2021
June 8, 2021
U.S. Relationship
- U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina Relations
- U.S. Assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bilateral Economic Relations
U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina Relations
The United States established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992 following its independence from Yugoslavia. A period of conflict followed among Bosnia’s Muslims, Croats, and Serbs over control of the former Yugoslav Republic’s territory. The 1992-95 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended with the crucial participation of the United States in brokering the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement. After leading the diplomatic and military effort to secure the Dayton Accords, the United States continues to lead the effort to ensure its implementation. The United States maintains command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Sarajevo. Since the 1990s it has also provided approximately $2 billion in assistance. Priority sectors have included reconstruction, humanitarian assistance, economic development, and modernization of the defense sector.
U.S. Assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina
U.S. Government assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to fully anchor the country in European and Western institutions, strengthen multi-ethnic democratic institutions and civil society, support strong state-level judiciary and law enforcement sectors, bolster free and independent journalism, counter corruption, support civic education, promote a multi-ethnic and pluralistic society, and increase prosperity and attractiveness to foreign investors. The United States has provided over $2 billion in assistance since 1992; FY 2020 assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina totals approximately $50 million, including bilateral, regional, and COVID Supplemental funding.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a transitional economy that is pursuing membership in the European Union and the World Trade Organization. More than 50 U.S. and U.S.-affiliated companies have established a full-time presence in the country. In 2020, the United States exported $21.6 million in goods to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while goods imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina totaled over $98 million.
![Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag: a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle; the triangle approximates the shape of the country and its three points stand for the constituent peoples - Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs; the stars represent Europe and are meant to be continuous (thus the half stars at top and bottom); the colors (white, blue, and yellow) are often associated with neutrality and peace, and traditionally are linked with Bosnia. [CIA World Fact Book]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bk-lgflag.gif){kind=small}