Spain has reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Spanish Ambassador María Molina Álvarez de Toledo highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure, cybersecurity, culture, education and economic development.

Speaking at a reception marking Spain’s National Day, the ambassador also highlighted the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the European Communities, noting that European integration had played a crucial role in Spain’s modernization and prosperity.

“Today, Spain is a consolidated democracy; an open, pluralistic, diverse and truly pro-European society,” she said, emphasizing that a stronger and enlarged Europe represents a guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity.

Against the backdrop of turbulent geopolitical circumstances, Spain continues to advocate respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, human rights and multilateralism, while promoting dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy as essential instruments for preventing and resolving conflicts.

These principles, the ambassador stressed, are particularly relevant in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spain Reiterates Support for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ambassador Molina Álvarez de Toledo underlined the longstanding friendship between Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, rooted in decades of solidarity and international efforts to support peace and reconstruction.

Since 1992, thousands of Spanish military personnel have served in Bosnia and Herzegovina, initially under the United Nations flag and later through NATO and European Union missions. Their contributions included facilitating humanitarian assistance, building bridges between communities and helping consolidate peace.

Twenty-three Spanish service members lost their lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their memory is commemorated at Španski trg (Plaza de España) in Mostar, which the ambassador described as a symbol of friendship between the two peoples.

More than three decades later, Spain remains committed to the country’s stability, security and prosperity.

“We unequivocally support its sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, as well as its perspective of accession to the European Union,” she said, adding that Spain believes the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the wider Western Balkans, lies within the European Union.

Referring to the recent general elections, the ambassador said the renewed legitimacy of the elected authorities offers an opportunity to place the European project at the centre of political action.

Spain, she added, stands ready to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in advancing this process.

Spanish Companies Contribute to Development Projects

Economic cooperation is also gaining momentum, with the ambassador pointing to the entry of Spanish company Molins, alongside Greek group TITAN, into the ownership structure of Baupartner, a prominent construction company in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spain is also strengthening bilateral cooperation through public financing mechanisms supporting development and modernization projects.

One initiative focuses on strengthening the cybersecurity capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange (IDDEEA), with the participation of Deloitte Spain.

Another major area of cooperation is sustainable urban mobility in Sarajevo.

Spanish engineering company IDOM is involved in the project to extend Sarajevo’s tram network to Dobrinja and Sarajevo International Airport. The company previously conducted a study on reducing emissions in Sarajevo and is also expected to design the reconstruction of the city’s tram depot.

The projects reflect Spain’s interest in supporting infrastructure modernization, digital security and sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cultural Ties Strengthen Relations

Culture and education remain important pillars of bilateral relations.

A significant highlight of 2026 was Spain’s participation as an honorary guest at the International Book Fair in Sarajevo. Among the activities was the exhibition “Spain in the Universe of Ivo Andrić,” exploring the relationship between the Nobel Prize-winning Bosnian writer and Spain, which he discovered through a Sephardic author.

The ambassador emphasized the Sephardic community’s role as a historical and human bridge between the two countries.

Cultural cooperation also included the publication of Spanish writer Marc Casals’s work La piedra permanente in Bosnian, as well as direct Spanish translations of Ivo Andrić’s The Damned Yard and Mak Dizdar’s Stone Sleeper.

Spain also had a notable presence at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where renowned Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen presented his film El ser querido.

In addition, Spain has joined the European Union, Italy and France in supporting the future development of Sarajevo’s Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art. The cooperation includes the involvement of experts from Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum.

Spain is also working with educational institutions and Instituto Cervantes to promote Spanish-language learning in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including exploring the possibility of opening Cervantes classrooms at the University of Sarajevo.

The ambassador noted that Spain remains the leading European destination for Erasmus+ participants in higher education, encouraging more students and academic staff from Bosnia and Herzegovina to take advantage of exchange opportunities.

Improving Air Connections and City Cooperation

Improving transport links between the two countries is another priority.

With the support of Sarajevo International Airport, a direct flight connection between Sarajevo and Girona has already been established. Spain continues to work with its partners to enable direct air connections between Sarajevo and other Spanish cities, which would facilitate tourism and increase exchanges between the two countries.

The recent visit of Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni to Sarajevo and his meetings with Sarajevo Mayor Samir Avdić also highlighted opportunities for closer cooperation between the two cities.

Spain hopes to build on these contacts by promoting city diplomacy and cooperation in areas including tourism and urban mobility.

Gender Equality and Social Cooperation

The ambassador also highlighted cooperation with UN Women to exchange experiences in the care economy, including a working visit to Madrid.

Spain intends to continue working with partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prevent and combat gender-based violence, in line with its feminist foreign policy.

Concluding her address, Ambassador Molina Álvarez de Toledo expressed gratitude to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, institutional partners and representatives of culture, education, business and civil society for their contributions to strengthening bilateral relations.

She also thanked the Spanish community living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Embassy team for their continued efforts to maintain and deepen the ties between the two countries.