Joint Op-Ed by Oana Țoiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, and Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 1 March 2026, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate thirty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. This anniversary comes at a defining moment for the Western Balkans and for Europe as a whole — a moment when unity, responsibility and strategic clarity are more important than ever. It presents an opportunity not only to look back with satisfaction at three decades of close cooperation, but also to reaffirm our shared commitment to stability, peace, and a European future for our region.
Thirty years of friendly relations, grounded in common values and a shared belief that dialogue, cooperation and integration are the foundations of lasting peace. Our partnership has been shaped by solidarity in times of challenges – whether in responding to security threats or natural disasters – as well as by constructive cooperation during favourable times.
A defining pillar of our bilateral relationship has been Romania’s unwavering commitment to the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the wider Western Balkans. This commitment is most clearly demonstrated through Romania’s substantial and long-standing contribution to the EUFOR Althea operation. From the very beginning, Romania has been among the leading contributors to the mission, providing not only military personnel, but also significant financial, technical and logistical support, adapted to the evolving security environment on the ground.
2025 marked a historic moment in this regard. For the first time, Romania assumed command of the EUFOR Althea operation, which has been both an honour and a major responsibility. This successful mandate reflected Romania’s expanding role within the EU and its firm commitment to a secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also conveyed a clear political message: the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina is inseparable from the security of the Western Balkans and of Europe as a whole.
Beyond security, our political dialogue has intensified in recent years through high-level visits, sectoral cooperation and institutional exchanges. Romania has been a steadfast supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans and the Eastern neighbours is not only a political promise, but a strategic imperative for our collective security and prosperity, for a stronger and more resilient Europe.
The journey towards the EU membership is not an easy one. It requires difficult reforms, political compromise and sustained effort. But Bosnia and Herzegovina is not alone. Romania extends its friendly hand and stands ready to walk together, as a trusted partner and sincere supporter. Drawing on its own experience, Romania is open to share its pre-accession expertise, through technical assistance and lessons learned — from legislative alignment and institutional strengthening to managing reforms that deliver tangible improvements to the lives of citizens. This is a demanding process, but equally transformative: for the administration, the economy and, above all, for the daily lives of citizens.
At the same time, today’s security environment reminds us that solidarity is a strategic necessity. The ongoing brutal Russian war against Ukraine, at the very borders of the EU, has fundamentally altered Europe’s security landscape. It showed that no country — regardless of size or geography — can face such challenges alone. For the Western Balkans, this harsh reality underscores the importance of unity, resilience and close cooperation with partners who share the same values. Standing together, strengthening collective security and defending the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law are essential not only for peace in Ukraine, but for stability across our entire region. 22 years since joining NATO and after nearly two decades of EU membership, Romania currently enjoys the strongest security guarantees in its history and an unprecedented level of economic development.
Our investment in society and in the next generation remains equally important. Romanian-funded development and social projects across Bosnia and Herzegovina support education, culture, healthcare, disaster risk reduction and inter-ethnic dialogue, with a particular focus on young people.
Economic cooperation is another area where significant untapped potential lies ahead. Commercial exchanges are growing and cooperation between our business communities is intensifying. Our bilateral exchanges surpassed 300 million euros in 2025, a spectacular 15% increase compared with previous years. Sectors such as energy, transport, IT, construction, tourism, food processing and the wood industry offer promising opportunities for joint projects that benefit both economies. These connections can be further strengthened through enhanced connectivity, including in transport and tourism and bring our citizens closer together. The establishment of honorary consulates in recent years in both countries serves as an additional impetus for deepening economic relations and bridging people-to-people contacts.
Looking ahead, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina share clear common objectives that will guide our partnership in the years to come.
First, as ministers of foreign affairs, we will continue to work together in support of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path, strengthening institutional capacities, aligning with European standards, and ensuring that reforms translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
EU membership remains Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strategic objective. The current year could be a historical milestone, a unique window of opportunity to advance two major objectives: opening of negotiations with the EU, and the implementation of the Reform Agenda that will enable access to unprecedented funding under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. All these efforts aim to accelerate the socio-economic convergence with the EU Single Market.
Second, we will seek to deepen economic cooperation by encouraging investments, supporting innovation, and fostering closer ties between companies, and local communities. In recent years, we have seen a growing number of skilled workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina employed by Romanian companies on major infrastructure projects which have become well integrated into Romanian society. This trend provides clear evidence of the mutual advantages of our cooperation and its direct, positive impact on our citizens.
Third, we will remain committed to regional stability and security through a strong, credible and adaptable EUFOR Althea presence for as long as needed. Supporting the EUFOR operation is not only essential for security on the ground, but also sends a clear political signal of the EU’s long-term engagement for peace and stability in the region.
Fourth, we will seek to maximise the benefits and opportunities of regional cooperation. Following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s successful Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (SUERD) in 2025, this anniversary year brings new prospects through Romania’s Chairmanship-in-Office of two key regional frameworks – the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). Bosnia and Herzegovina contributes substantially through its proactive engagement as a valuable member of both frameworks and its leadership of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the operational arm of SEECP. These platforms play a crucial role in fostering political dialogue and practical cooperation across the region, supporting greater convergence with the European Union. Romania’s chairmanship mandates aim to leverage these mechanisms as useful tools to bring the Western Balkans, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine closer to the European family, by promoting joint initiatives focused on expertise sharing, connectivity, economic development, countering the increasing threats to the informational space, and through alignment with European standards.
Thirty years of diplomatic relations have built a strong foundation. The road ahead holds even greater promises, demanding renewed political will, strategic patience and shared responsibility. Guided by this mutual understanding and the trust built over decades, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to work together as partners, as friends and as steadfast advocates of a Western Balkans region firmly and irreversibly anchored in the European Union.
