The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, met on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly with the Minister of Tourism and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for the Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Aqeela Al-Khateeb.
Konaković and Al-Khateeb discussed the bilateral relations of the two friendly countries, as well as issues of common interest. It has been confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Saudi Arabia have very good and friendly relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, the Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced.
The meeting also discussed the liberalization of the visa regime between the two countries and, in this context, Minister Konaković welcomed the initiative of Saudi Arabia from August 2023 to conclude a Memorandum on the abolition of the visa regime for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Konaković also called on the Minister of Tourism to simplify the process of submitting an application for a KSA visa for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, holders of ordinary passports, and to consider the possibility of submitting a visa application online. Al-Khateeb promised to work on it, according to the Ministry.
Opinions were also exchanged on the possibilities of improving economic cooperation, especially in the field of tourism, defense industry, agriculture and food industry and other areas, and Konaković invited representatives of Saudi funds and businessmen to continue investing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The statement added that mutual interest was expressed in further strengthening the overall cooperation between the two countries by intensifying visits at the highest level.
