The Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Affairs Minister is expected to arrive in Malta on Thursday on an official two-day visit aimed at strengthening the two countries’ political, economic and cultural ties.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Affairs Minister Sven Alkalaj will be greeted by his Maltese counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg.

The two ministers are expected to sign an agreement on the readmission of people in the two countries.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Dr Borg will be pointing out the importance of having a sound legal framework to enhance collaboration with regard to trade and investment.

Dr Borg is also expected to indicate the importance of concluding other agreements that are still in the pipeline – mainly a double taxation agreement and an Investment Guarantee Agreement, which both aimed at enhancing investment and job creation.

This collaboration will help boost trade between the two countries. Imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2009 were limited to beverages and wood and paper products amounting approximately to €61,799. Exports were limited to pharmaceuticals amounting to €71,882.

Dr Borg is expected to highlight the importance of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Given the two countries’ common interests, particularly on European and Mediterranean Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina may benefit from the specialised training offered by the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, which enjoys a very strong reputation.

Malta and Bosnia and Herzegovina already enjoy a protocol on cooperation signed by the two ministries in June 2004.

This protocol aims at regular consultation between the two countries on matters concerning the extension and deepening of bilateral political and cultural relations together with issues relating to European Integration, implementation of bilateral agreements and current issues of international relations.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established more than 15 years ago. It is understood that both countries are working hard to explore new possibilities of interaction.

Malta recognised Bosnia-Herzegovina as an independent and sovereign nation on the 8 April 1992. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a successor state of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.