The Embassy of Indonesia in Sarajevo hosted a reception commemorating two significant milestones this year: the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and the 31st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event highlighted three decades of partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and joint aspirations for peace and prosperity.
Addressing the gathered diplomats, officials, and guests, Indonesia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Manahan M.P. Sitompul, formally introduced himself. He recalled presenting his Letters of Credence to the Chairman of the Presidency on 4 July 2025 and expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation across all sectors in the years ahead.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1994, Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have maintained warm and constructive ties. As nations of the Global South, both countries face complex global challenges that, the Ambassador noted, “can only be addressed through unity, dialogue, and cooperation.” Their partnership today spans diplomacy, trade, culture, education, and growing people-to-people exchanges.
High-level visits have further reinforced this cooperation. In June 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, visited Indonesia, followed in October by the visit of Indonesia’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anis Matta, to Sarajevo. These engagements, the Ambassador said, signal the intention of both governments to deepen collaboration across multiple fields.
Ambassador Sitompul emphasized that under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia has entered a new chapter shaped by the priorities of peace, economy, and prosperity. Indonesia continues to contribute to regional and global stability through ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and other international platforms.
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia with more than 280 million people, Indonesia is expanding its role in global development and investment. The country’s sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, now manages around 900 billion USD in assets – reflecting what the Ambassador described as Indonesia’s growing capacity to contribute to international economic cooperation.
Economic partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina has also intensified. By the third quarter of 2025, bilateral trade reached 32 million USD, marking a 68 percent increase from 2024 and representing the strongest trade performance to date. The Indonesia – Bosnia and Herzegovina Business Association (INBA), led by Enver Avdić, has played a key role in bringing Indonesian halal cosmetic products to the Bosnian market.
Ambassador Sitompul highlighted the significant potential of the halal industry, with Bosnia and Herzegovina positioned as a strategic gateway for Indonesian halal products entering Europe, while Indonesia can serve as a hub for Bosnian exports to ASEAN and the broader Asia-Pacific region – a market of more than 600 million people. This cooperation gained further momentum through Indonesia’s participation in the Sarajevo Halal Expo last June.
Beyond trade and investment, cultural and educational ties continue to deepen. The “Indonesia Goes to Campus” program, held this year at International Burch University and the University of Sarajevo, showcased traditional dance, batik art, and Indonesian cuisine, strengthening cultural understanding between the two countries.
Tourism links are also growing. More than 1,000 Bosnian citizens visited Indonesia in 2024 – a 10 percent increase compared with previous years—with 907 Bosnian travelers recorded by the third quarter of 2025. “Each visit builds friendship and trust between our peoples,” the Ambassador noted.
In his address, Ambassador Sitompul expressed appreciation for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s longstanding friendship and reiterated Indonesia’s strong support for BiH’s aspirations to join the European Union, stating that membership would contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
He thanked partners from the diplomatic community, business sector, academia, and media for their continued cooperation. The Embassy of Indonesia in Sarajevo, he said, remains dedicated to advancing collaboration in trade, tourism, education, defense, the halal industry, and the creative economy.
Concluding the evening, guests were invited to enjoy Indonesian culinary specialties, including rendang and satay. “Food, like diplomacy, brings people together,” the Ambassador remarked, expressing hope that shared meals and conversations would continue to strengthen the ties between the two nations.
As Indonesia celebrates 80 years of independence and 31 years of partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ambassador called for continued optimism and confidence in the future. He expressed his hope that the friendship between the two nations will keep growing, bringing peace and prosperity to both peoples.
