Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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The implementation of the Dayton Accords of 1995 has focused the efforts of policymakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the international community, on regional stabilization in the former Yugoslavia. With the end of the Kosovo conflict, these efforts will continue to a larger extent. Within Bosnia and Herzegovina, relations with its neighbors of Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro have been fairly stable since the signing of Dayton in 1995.
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Foreign Aid
In the 3 years since the Dayton Accords were signed, over $4 billion in foreign aid has flown into Bosnia, about $800 million of it coming from SEED funds. As stated above, this support has been key to the growth and revitalization of the economy and infrastructure in the republic. However, most of this aid has been targeted at the Federation; the previous government of the RS was anti-Dayton and not assisted by the U.S. The election of the "Sloga" or "Unity" Coalition government, led by Prime Minister Dodik, has shifted the balance of power in the Republika Srpska (RS) to a pro-Dayton stance and will result in an upsurge of funding to the RS from the international community.
In addition to SEED funding, USAID programs have been crucial to the redevelopment of Bosnia and Herzegovina. USAID has programing in the following areas: economic policy reform and restructuring; private sector development (the Business Development Program); infrastructure rebuilding; democratic reforms in the media, political process and elections, and rule of law/legal code formulation; and training programs for women and diplomats.
Disputes - international
Bosnia and Herzegovina has had Serbia and Montenegro (Former Yugoslavia) indicted at the International Criminal Court regarding its accusation that Serbia and Montenegro made an aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the recent 1992-95 war.
The delimitation of the border with Serbia and Montenegro is halfway completed, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute.
Discussions continue with Croatia on problem sections of the Una River and villages at the base of Mount Plješevica.
International organization participation
BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sven ALKALAJ; note - Igor DAVIDOVIC should become ambassador in early 2000
chancery:
2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:
[1] (202) 337-1500
FAX:
[1] (202) 337-1502
consulate(s) general:
New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission:
Ambassador Thomas J. MILLER
embassy:
Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo
mailing address:
use street address
telephone:
[387] (71) 445-700
FAX:
[387] (71) 659-722
Illicit drugs
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a minor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to Western Europe.
Organized crime launders money, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center.