On 12 December 2019, representatives of 5 Embassies – Japan and the Visegrad Group (Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) attended a handover ceremony on their first joint development project at Saburina Primary School in Sarajevo.
This joint official development cooperation realized in the format of V4+Japan is based on the shared fundamental values and with aim to enhance mutually beneficial partnership with the Western Balkans countries.
Today’s ceremony at Saburina Primary School was attended by H.E. Mr. Sakamoto Hideyuki, ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Jakub Skalník, ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Krisztián Pósa, ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Jarosław Lindenberg, ambassador of the Republic of Poland and H.E. Mr. Martin Kačo. ambassador of the Slovak Republic. The main guest of honours were Ms. Zineta Bogunić, Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton, Ms. Dragana Solaković, Mayor Assistant for Local Governance and City Development in City of Sarajevo, Mr. Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, Mayor of Sarajevo opčina Stari Grad, all hosted by Ms. Meliha Parla, Director of Saburina Primary School.
Embassy of Japan contributed to modernization of the school windows, its frames and doors in the amount of 150,000 BAM. The Czech Embassy significantly improved sanitary conditions for pupils and school staff in the amount of 19,000 BAM. The Hungarian Embassy provided terrace where pupils can spend their breaktime. The Polish Embassy
The Slovak Embassy contributed to the energy efficiency of the facility by installing new heating system based on
Implementation of this unique project thus required close cooperation of 5 Embassies and all levels of Sarajevo administration. Its main objective was not only to offer better and more healthy conditions for the Saburina school pupils, but also to address the air pollution problem, which Sarajevo city is facing more and more. This common success thus proves that by working together as genuine partners, one can achieve more. In this case, we are significantly improving working and schooling conditions for around 300 pupils, teachers and staff, while preserving one of the most precious historical heritages in Sarajevo city.
