Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Balkan States Unite to Curb Rate of Migration
Foreign and Interior Ministers of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia met in Vienna on Wednesday to coordinate moves on reducing the flow of the migrants along the so-called Balkan route.
Turkish books available in dozens of languages
Some 1,124 books of Turkish literature have been translated into 60 languages in 65 countries as part of a project that was first launched 11 years ago, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has said.
Bosnia Readies for Potential Refugee Influx
Bosnia's Defence Ministry is ready to make available five military facilities to accommodate refugees from the Middle East if their nomal route through the region changes to include Bosnia, the ministry told BIRN on Tuesday.
Dodik: RS committed to Bosnia's EU application
Serb Republic (RS) Presiden Milorad Dodik has met in Banja Luka with Serbian Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina Stanimir Vukicevic.
On that occasion he reiterated that the Serb entity, RS, is "committed to Bosnia's application to be granted EU candidate status."
Balkan Leaders Discuss Energy, Transport at Summit
The Western Balkans Investment Summit in London on Monday brought together the prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia with investors to discuss the development of transport links, energy projects and privatisation.
Macedonia's Tighter Border Traps Refugees in Greece
Macedonia arrested two Afghans who tried to jump the fence on the border with Greece as authorities stuck firm behind their recent decision to bar entry to Afghans and other migrants apart from Syrians and Iraqis.
The Macedonian decision has created a refugee "bottleneck' in northern Greece, where thousands of migrants have gathered hoping to pass through to the European Union.
Bosnia Woos Iran as Sanctions End
Bosnian Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak made an official visit to Iran on Monday, meeting his counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in a bid to develop relations that could economically benefit the cash-strapped Balkan state.
"We discussed many ways to increase our economic cooperation," said Crnadak said at a press conference, according to Iranian news FARS.
Montenegro and Bosnia Plan Joint Embassies
The governments of Montenegro and Bosnia are to sign an agreement to establish joint embassies on the so-called "Nordic" model.
Under the agreement, which BIRN has seen, the new arrangements will contribute tocost-effectiveness and improved efficiency in the work of diplomatic and consular offices.
Bulgaria Invited to Participate at Western Balkans Migrant Route Meeting
The Austrian government invited Bulgaria for participation at an extraordinary meeting between the interior and foreign ministers of the countries along the Western Balkans migrant route.
The invitation was sent by Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.
Russia to Train Bosnian Serb Special Police
Dragan Lukac, Interior Minister of Republika Srpska, the Serb-dominated entity of Bosnia, said the entity government will soon send its special police units for training in Russia and is also keen to buy military equipment from Moscow.
Abu Hamza May Sue Bosnia Over Years in Detention
The Syrian citizen Imad Al-Husin better known as Abu Hamza on Thursday told the TV network Aljazeera Balkans that he may file a lawsuit against the Bosnian authorities for keeping him for more than seven years in detention, on suspicion that he represented a threat to national security.
"I challenge the Bosnian authorities to hold a fair trial," Al-Husin told Aljazeera.
Bosniak Parties Weigh Impact of Radoncic Arrest
Bosnia's ruling coalition is likely to survive the political turmoil created in recent weeks by the arrest of the politician and businessman Fahrudin Radoncic, experts say.
Serbian president should visit Bosnia in March
Bakir Izetbegovic said on Thursday that Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic should visit Bosnia-Herzegovina next month.
Izetbegovic, the Bosniak (Muslim) member of the country's tripartite presidency, spoke for N1 in an interview that will be broadcast this evening.
Serbia "to assist Bosnia on EU path - can't help with NATO"
Serbia will assist Bosnia-Herzegovina on its path towards the European Union, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said in Brussels late on Wednesday.
"Just like we expect assistance from EU member states, Bosnia-Herzegovina can expect assistance from Serbia, which is a candidate country and has opened the first chapters," Nikolic told reporters after a working dinner.
Borsa Istanbul launches new training program for employees of Bosnian bank
Turkey's main stock exchange, Borsa Istanbul, has announced the launching of a training program for employees of Bosna Bank International (BBI) in line with a memorandum of understanding with the bank to facilitate the mutual exchange of know-how and experience.
A total of 16 employees will receive training for one year from Borsa Istanbul and Turkey's Kuveyt Türk, it added.