The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk met with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jana Lolić Šindelkova, to discuss the improvement of cooperation between these two countries. Uk emphasized that there is interest in direct flights between Bosnian and Czech cities.
As announced by Prime Minister Uk’s office, the focus of the discussion on cooperation was on development projects, culture, education and air traffic.
During the meeting, the previous good cooperation was highlighted, as well as the importance of the financial support of the Czech Republic through the annual budget for projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while considering the possibility of its further development in accordance with the new priorities and pragmatic approach of the Czech Government.
In the conversation, it was emphasized that there is a strong and long-standing connection between BiH, and especially Sarajevo Canton, and the Czech Republic, based on geographical proximity, cultural and linguistic similarities, as well as intense human, educational and artistic ties.
The significance of the diaspora during the war years was pointed out, as well as the strong influence of the Prague school on numerous Bosnian filmmakers. It was also pointed out that Sarajevo and BiH represent a recognizable tourist destination for Czech citizens, with a continuous increase in the number of tourists from the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Uk emphasized the potential and interest of KS in establishing direct airlines between Sarajevo and cities in the Czech Republic, stressing that such a connection would further strengthen touristic and economic ties between the two countries. In particular, the fact that the CS has adopted the Tourism and Aviation Development Subsidy Program, which represents an important institutional framework and can facilitate the implementation of such initiatives in cooperation with relevant partners, was pointed out.
After the meeting, Šindelkova also commented on the idea of an air connection between Sarajevo and Prague on her Facebook page.
“If there is a direct Sarajevo-Prague airline, it will be known, Nihad Uk, who was the first to come up with the method. Thank you for today’s inspiring conversation,” she said.
They also discussed infrastructural, educational and cultural projects, including the development of the University of Sarajevo and support for the work of cultural institutions. In this context, it was pointed out that CS, through the adopted law, temporarily takes over the co-financing of key cultural institutions of state importance until the final systemic solution is adopted. The aim of these measures is to ensure continuity of work and stable functioning of cultural institutions.
The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the possibilities of strengthening cultural exchange and realization of joint projects and events that would further connect the institutions and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic.
“At the end of the meeting, the mutual willingness to continue cooperation, open dialogue and implementation of specific initiatives of common interest was confirmed,” the statement of the Government of the CS states.
