Interview : Tazeen Akhtar + Mustafa Khan
Pictures : Raja Ghulam Farid
Bosnia and Herzegovina is brotherly country of Pakistan that can be gateway for our exports into Europe as it has free trade agreements with many countries around. Both states enjoy close and cordial relations that can be transformed into meaningful trade and economic cooperation. Ambassador Mr. Emin Cohodarevic is working on the same path in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned officials in Pakistan. The sides are preparing for a high level state visit from Bosnia these days.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), The Stabilization and Association Agreement (between the EU and B&H), EFTA Free Trade Agreement (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), and Free Trade Agreement with Turkiye. These countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina’s main trading partners, covering 90 % of total trade exchange.
Located in the hart of Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina have well-connected transport facilities and serve as a bridge between Eastern and Western markets. By making investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistani enterprises can significantly cut their business costs and get integrated into European industrial system.
Pakistan Bosnia to Increase Cooperation in Trade, Science, Defence & Other fields
Pakistan in the World contacted the Embassy to have an interview with H.E Emin and discussed bilateral affairs in detail. He carries a vast experience of diplomatic service that spans on decades. The important parts of the interview are published here for our readers and the stake holders.
Ambassador Emin spoke highly about Pakistan and its people. He shared his views on different aspects of bilateral relations and expressed his enthusiasm to further strengthen them in all spheres.
H.E Emin said, ” The multifaceted relations between our two countries have witnessed a steady growth during last thirty three years characterized by friendship, mutual respect and understanding. I am proud of all the work we have accomplished so far, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds between our countries at a critical time in history. We have tradition, we have many success stories, we have all the necessary ingredients to further deepen our partnership and cooperation.”
He stressed, “Bosnia Herzegovina holds a special place in the hearts of the Pakistani people. The warm hospitality extended to me and my family in last year was a demonstration of the friendship, brotherhood and partnership between our two countries and peoples. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for warmth and hospitality I experienced in every corner of Pakistan.
On bilateral trade exchange, Ambassador replied, ” It is very modest. I am not pleased with the current level of bilateral trade because it does not reflect by far the real potential of the two countries. Efforts must be made, and this is high on the Embassy agenda, to identify new opportunity and fields for increasing the trade.”
The Embassy is planning to organize the various types of business meetings, product exhibitions, providing important platforms for business communities to intensify exchange and cooperation. The legal framework that could contribute to facilitating bilateral trade cooperation is already established. An agreement on trade and economic cooperation is in force since September, 2011.
H.E Emin shared , ” The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia Herzegovina has developed several alternative forms of cooperation to enhance the efficiency of implementing concluded agreements and optimize invested resources”
An increasing number of bilateral partners (Czech Republic, China, Hungary, Spain, Slovenia, etc.) accept this approach and actively cooperate accordingly.
“Generally, to achieve better results, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers that the bilateral relationships with Pakistan should focus on the strengthening institutional cooperation and establishing stronger ties between business communities, identifying the joint priorities with the greatest potentials for achieving specific result and removing obstacles that have already been identified. The Embassy is actively working on implementation these recommendations, Ambassador continued.
On the history of bilateral ties, Ambassador said, ” Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoys traditionally warm and friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Two countries are located far away from each other, however, the two people enjoyed for over three decades of interaction and profound friendship. The two countries have extended support to each other in times of need. During the years 1994-1995, Pakistan was a significant contributor of troops to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina provided assistance during the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods in Pakistan. From the Islamic countries, Pakistan took in the third highest number of refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war. Pakistan was also one of the first countries to recognize Bosnia as an independent state. Bosnian and Herzegovinian people are indebted to the IR Pakistan for its support when Bosnia was passing through hard times.
“If you have a friend at far but who knows your heart, distance can not keep you apart.”
H.E Emin Cohodarevic
Now 3000 miles can no longer keep Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan apart. Instead, the relationship serves as a bond or a bridge linking our two countries.
Pakistan-Bosnia and Herzegovina Second Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad
Ambassador was sure that , ” Bilateral visits are important to strengthen our friendship and cooperation. After eight years, the Second Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in November, 2024. A high-level visit is expected from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in a near future.”
Better air connectivity between two states would broaden and deepen the already strong relationship. At present, there are no direct flights from Sarajevo to Islamabad. However, there are several very convenient flights from the Sarajevo to Islamabad with a stopover.
Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes Pakistani citizens to visit the country.
” Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted the European Union candidate status and has to achieve full alignment with the European Union common foreign and security policy positions and declarations. The requirements for applying for a Bosnian and Herzegovinian visa aligned well with the requirement for applying for a Schengen visa, Ambassador shared.
Defense Cooperation
The bilateral defense cooperation between Bosnia Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan can be assessed as very good. Both countries have interest for intensifying the bilateral military cooperation so, by 2007. an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense industry was signed and by 2012. an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense was signed.
Ambassador shared that in recent years the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina regularly sends their officers to study at the National Defense University in Islamabad and the Command and Staff School in Quetta.
Also, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan offers training for members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina at all levels of career and specialist military education. The two countries defense industries might cooperate in many fields from work share to investment in joint programs.
BOSNIA & NATO
Bosnia and Herzegovina is on a pathway to becoming a NATO member. H.E Emin said, ” My country has taken part in many collaborative efforts with NATO such as the Partnership for Peace Program, Membership Action Plan, and establishing a Commission for Cooperation.
He pleasantly shared , “A particular achievement lies in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared units, which are part of the NATO force pool, making them ready for deployment in NATO-led operations, peace support missions, and international military exercises. By undergoing rigorous training according to NATO standards, they have earned the “COMBAR READY” certificate, further affirming their quality and interoperability with international partners.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a meeting point of civilizations,
a bridge the East and the West.
Its unique multi-ethnic culture has been woven through one thousand years of tolerance and respect among its citizens, regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliation. That is way its preservation and success, as a specific microcosm, is crucial.
BOSNIA & EUROPE
Ambassador said , “My homeland has been giving noticeably important contribution to the cultural-civilization heritage of Europe on the cultural, scientific, humanistic and spiritual aspect since ancient times. Bosnia needs Europe, the united Europe of stability, prosperity and cooperation. And Europe needs Bosnia and Herzegovina.Our commitment and destiny lie within the European Union. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made a significant step forward in the process of European integration in the past two years.
On December 15th, 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status for European Union membership. The decision of the European Council to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 21st, 2024, provided a strong incentive to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue the implementation of key reforms.
President for promoting business & trade ties with Bosnia & Herzegovina
ISLAMOPHOBIA
Ambassador Emin touched the delicate topic of Islamophobia In recent years. Islamophobia has been fueled by public anxiety over immigration and the integration of Muslim minorities into cultures in Europe. These tensions have been exacerbated in the aftermath of the economic crash of 2007 and rise of populist nationalist politicians. They have also been aggravated by high-profile terrorist attacks carried out by Muslim extremists.
H.E elaborated , “Islamophobia is a symptom of disintegration of human values – values such as nondiscrimination, tolerance, freedom of thought, justice, solidarity and equality. The European Union is founded on these values. If we want that the aims and values of the European Union prevail we have to push back on hatred in all its forms, to educate ourselves and the coming generations, to demonstrate solidarity, and make clear that hate has no place in the world.”
Second Visit of Grand Mufti of Bosnia to Pakistan – by Tazeen Akhtar
BOSNIA & PAKISTAN
Ambassador Mr. Emin Cohodarevic said , ” We Bosnians Herzegovinians believe that Pakistan is a fascinating country in many regards, especially culturally and from the perspective of historical values. It is an extremely friendly country, with very competent and amicably people. People hold the key to sound state-to-state relations and friendship comes from exchanges between the people.”
He said , ” We need to increase exchanges in education, culture, health, sports, tourism and other fields. We should enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between people of two sides, particularly the young people. In last year, the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina has contributed to the development of a strong and vibrant connections with the Pakistani people and communities.”
” These activities included cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, educational exchanges, screening the best Bosnian films, community engagement, visit to schools and lectures for the students and digital outreach, Ambassador concluded.
