Bosnia and Herzegovina keen to expand trade ties with SL

By Lahiru Pothmulla
Foreign Affairs Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak said they are very keen to open a new chapter in foreign affairs by establishing trade and investment promotion between Bosnia and Asian countries like Sri Lanka.  He expressed these views upon meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana who was on an official visit to the Republic of Bosnia & Herzegovina from September28 to 30.

Minister Crnadaks said the opening of an honorary consulate in Colombo is a welcoming step to expand relations with the two countries.

Foreign Minister Marapana, thanking his counterpart for the invitation, assured Minister Crnadak that a Bosnia – Sri Lanka parliamentary friendship group would shortly be formed in the Sri Lankan  Parliament. 

He invited Minister Igor Crnadak to visit Sri Lanka to promote bilateral relations.  

Minister Marapana also met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkic at the latter’s constituency in Medjugorje. 

Deputy Minister Brkic explained to the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister the constitutional background of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly their system of elections, the rotating Presidency and their application for European integration. 

The Deputy Foreign Minister briefed Minister Marapana on the Human Rights problems faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslavian war and the difficulties of post- war reconciliation. Foreign Minister Marapana briefed the Bosnia and Herzegovina Deputy Foreign Minister on the current constitutional reform process in Sri Lanka and offered Sri Lanka’s support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in its quest for European integration.