The Embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered diplomats, officials and members of civil society at the Botanical Garden of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo to celebrate traditional Nordic cooperation and reaffirm support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future.
Speaking at the reception, Danish Ambassador Åge Sandal Møller highlighted the long-standing friendship between the Nordic countries and Bosnia and Herzegovina, recalling the role Scandinavian votes played in Sarajevo winning the bid to host the 1984 Winter Olympics.
“We are today celebrating the close cooperation, affinity and friendship between our Nordic countries, an extremely close relationship that go far in the back, the closeness that takes place from the highest levels of government to the personal relations,” Møller said.
He added that the friendship between the Nordic countries and Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984, when “the six votes went to Sarajevo and due to this, Sarajevo secured the victory of 39 votes as compared to 36 for Sapporo.”
Møller also pointed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s football success as proof of the country’s potential.
“The qualifications for the World Cup serves as an example of the huge potential of this country and that there is nothing BiH cannot achieve if there is a will,” he stated.
Swedish Ambassador Helena Lagerlöf stressed that Nordic countries remain among the strongest supporters of reforms and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Nordic countries are among the largest donors of development cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Lagerlöf said.
“By supporting reforms in the areas of the rule of law, judiciary, media freedom, the fight against corruption, gender equality, migration, green transition, reconciliation, taxation and statistics, we want to bring Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the European Union.”
She emphasized the Nordic countries’ continued backing of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU and transatlantic aspirations.
“BiH belongs to the EU family, there is nothing BiH cannot achieve when the people of this country set their minds to that and take necessary steps,” Lagerlöf said.
“We want BiH to succeed, we want you to implement the goals set in the Reform Agenda and the Growth Plan that would unlock almost billion Euros to the benefit to the citizens of this country.”
Norwegian Ambassador Kathrine Biering underlined the importance of unity and shared democratic values in an increasingly uncertain global climate.
“Speaking with one voice and acting together, our countries are stronger, our messages carry more weight, and our collective impact becomes much more significant,” Biering said.
“In today’s increasingly uncertain global environment, our shared values – democracy, trust, equality, and the rule of law – are more important than ever.”
She added that the Nordic countries remain committed to supporting security and stability in the Western Balkans through cooperation with EUFOR and NATO initiatives.
The reception gathered representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political, diplomatic, academic, cultural and business sectors, along with members of the international community and civil society organizations.
Finnish Ambassador Sirpa Oksanen also highlighted the importance of the Bosnian diaspora living in Nordic countries.
“It is safe to say that Bosnians are extremely well integrated and contribute immensely to the Nordic societies. They represent an important bond between our countries,” Oksanen concluded.
The Nordic countries reiterated their commitment to supporting a democratic and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the importance of strong institutions, the rule of law and an active civil society for long-term stability and development.
