Bulgaria was the first country to recognise the independent and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in early 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1996. Two months later Bulgaria opened its embassy in Sarajevo. The Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sofia was opened in May 2006. To date, there are no unresolved issues in the bilateral relations, and Bulgaria is willing to share the experience of its EU accession to facilitate the Balkan country's European integration process.

Cultural diplomacy, in the words of Bulgarian Ambassador to Sarajevo Valeri Yotov, is "the best base on which diplomatic and political relations can develop". For this reason, the Bulgarian Embassy is actively cooperating with institutions such as the Bulgarian State Cultural Institute (SCI) with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on a number of projects aimed at promoting the image of this country to the world. On Bulgarian Diplomacy Day, 19 July, the exhibition "Diplomacy and Art" will be opened in Sarajevo on the occasion of 140 years of Bulgarian diplomatic service.

"These are the works of the most prominent Bulgarian artists adorning the walls of the residences and embassies of our diplomats around the world. The exhibition is also important for another reason: it marks 30 years since Bulgaria recognized the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We were the first in the world to do so on 15 January 1992," recalled the Bulgarian ambassador, who headed Bulgaria's diplomatic mission in Sarajevo almost two months ago.

One of his first engagements as ambassador was the opening of the school in Petrovo Pole, renovated with funds from the Bulgarian Official Development Assistance - the programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through which Bulgaria provides financial support to the Western Balkan countries. "So far this year alone we have received more than 150 projects at the embassy for which funding is being sought under this programme," Ambassador Valery Yotov said. 19.07.22 Валери Йотов 2

"I could say that the projects funded by the Bulgarian grant to support children and disadvantaged groups are very well received and generate prestige and visibility for our country. The Embassy in Sarajevo is actively working and supporting all three constituent peoples on projects for renovation of schools and kindergartens, and projects with the University of Sarajevo in the field of digitalization."

The Bulgarian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina is tiny, mostly made up of people working in international institutions or spouses in mixed marriages. The Bulgarian military contingent in BiH is the largest abroad. It ensures peace and stability not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in the entire region of the Western Balkans.

There is a positive trend in bilateral economic relations between Sofia and Sarajevo, despite the negative effects of the pandemic and the war with Ukraine.

"Statistics in Bosnia and Herzegovina confirm that in 2021 the trade between the two countries increased by 27%, we have a positive trade balance," the Bulgarian ambassador to BiH said. - Cooperation can be improved in the specialised and automotive industries (production of spare parts), the food industry, construction and especially tourism."

Both countries lack information about the tourist facilities and holiday opportunities in the other country. Therefore, I would like to invite Bulgarian tour operators to contact their colleagues here to diversify the destinations they offer so that the tourist exchange between the two countries becomes much more intense."