bosnia and herzegovina - introducing the heart-shaped country

Bosnia and Herzegovina Introducing the Heart-Shaped Country

Amel Kovačević, Ambassador

Specially prepared for:

China Foreign Affairs University

What is Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the heart-shaped country located in the South-East of Europe with long history of its statehood.

Bosnia, meaning running water, was named after its abundant freshwater rivers, streams and springs.

Herzegovina was named after the Herzeg (Duke) Stephan, who was the prominent mediaeval ruler of the Southern Bosnian lands.

Herzegovina literally means the land belonging to the Duke.


Bosnia and Herzegovina is a emerging federal democratic republic that operates under the rule of law and with free and democratic elections.

Head of the state is the Presidency The Parliamentary Assembly is the lawmaking

body that consists of two houses: the House of Peoples and the House of Representatives.

The Council of Ministers is government comprising of 9 ministries.


Bosnia and Herzegovina

Federation of Bosnia and

Herzegovina

10 Cantons

74 Municipalities

Republic of Srpska

63 Municipalities

Brčko District RS

RS FBIH

BD


Bosnia and Herzegovina is mostly a mountainous country with the Dinaric Alps dominating the landscape.

Rich forests and greeneries cover almost 50% of the land.

In the North, along the Sava River valley, a hilly, fertile plain stretches east to west.


The country has 21.2 km of coastline in the

Southwest of the country, providing access to the Adriatic Sea in the town of Neum.

Mediterranean (maritime) climate in the southeast, continental mountain (Alps) climate in the central part, moderate continental (central European) climate in the north.

Area: 51.209,20 km² Major Cities: Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Zenica ,

Bijeljina, Mostar , Prijedor, Brčko, Bihać and Doboj

Bosnia and Herzegovina 波黑在欧洲的地理位置

Where is Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Located in the Balkans, the South-East of Europe

Neighboring Countries: Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro

Access to Adriatic Sea and Rhine–Main–Danube Canal through Sava River

Regional transport and energy corridors

South East Europe 欧洲东南部

Bosnia and Herzegovina 波黑在欧洲东南部的位置

Turkey

Greece

Bulgaria

Romania

Hungary

Macedonia

Serbia B&H

Alb

an

ia

Croatia

MN

Slovenia

Mo

ldo

va

Who is Bosnia and Herzegovina?

In 1991, Bosnia and Herzegovina had a population of 4,377,033.

43.47% are Bosniaks, 31.21% are Serbs, and 17.38% are Croats, while 5.54% are considered Yugoslavs and 2.38% others.

The official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian language.

The main religions are Islam, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity

Strong correlation between ethnic identity and religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has survived for centuries as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional community.

Historical Overview Early Days - Bosnian Pyramids

Result of anthropological genetic testing have proven that Bosnia is second oldest oasis of life in Europe with 27,000 years of uninterupted presence of human.

Fascinating discovery of pyramidal man made structure in Visoko town.

These are the first pyramids discovered in Europe The site includes the biggest pyramidal structure in the

world(over 220m). The most precise orientation towards the cosmic north

with the error of 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 12 seconds. It is completely covered by rectangular concrete blocks

much superior to the modern concrete materials. Over 12,000 years old.

Historical Overview Early Days – Bosnian Pyramids

Historical Overview Ancient time Early inhabitants Illyrians, invasion of Celts Since 9 AD Roman rule, colonists and settlements,

civilization, art, transport infrastructure. Invasion of Germanic tribes of Goths in 3rd century BC Invasion of Mongolian tribes of Huns in 4th and Iranian

tribes of Alans in 5th century BC Invasion of Turkic tribes of Avars and Slavs in 6 century Melting pot of races, cultures and civilizations Slavic tribes migration to Bosnia gradually influenced

domicile population that was eventually slavenised. Arrival of Slavic tribes of Serbs and Croats on Balkan

Peninsula in 7th century

Historical Overview Ancient time

Walls of ancient Daorson, Ošanići near Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3rd century BC.

Historical Overview Mediaeval Bosnian State

Bosnian medieval state between 9th and 1463

Tvrtko I Kotromanić ruled in 1353–1366 and again in 1367–1377 as ban and in 1377–1391 as the first King of Bosnia.

Bosnian royal Kotromanić family tree


One of the earliest states of South Slavs in Balkan Peninsula The Charter of Ban Kulin is trade agreement between Bosnia

and the Republic of Ragusa that regulates trade rights in Bosnia written on August 29, 1189.

It is one of the oldest written state documents of South Slavs in the Balkans and is among the oldest historical documents written in bosančica early alphabet of Bosnian language.

Historical Overview Mediaeval Bosnian State Exploitation of natural resources especially metals such

as copper, silver, gold, lead as well as wood and agricultural products.

Bosnian strategic location open trade routes to the East 360 fortified towns across the state

Historical Overview Mediaeval Bosnian State Religious freedom and safe heaven for Christian heretics Bosnian church authentic Christian belief in Bosnia

The Stećci are monumental medieval tombstones that lie scattered across mediaeval Bosnian state. An estimated 60,000 are found within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of 10,000 are found in neighboring countries. The Stećci have been nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List as Joint Cultural Heritage by the four countries in 2009

Historical Overview Ottoman Era Ottomans conquered Kingdom of Bosnia 1463 New rulers started building urban centers, transport

infrastructure, educational institutions Religious freedom accompanied with introduction of

Islam

Bosnian Ottoman heritage is still vivid and attracts great interest of tourists

Historical Overview Ottoman Era

Bosnia preserved its administrative identity Development of authentic culture and arts Fall of the Ottoman Empire and withdrawal from

Bosnia after 415 years left significant changes in Bosnian society

Historical Overview Ottoman Era

The Ottoman provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 17th century.

Historical Overview Austro-Hungarian Era (1878-1918)

Bosnia was occupied by Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Introduction of new state name of Bosnia and

Herzegovina and state borders that are internationally recognized today

Industrial and Urban Development Modernization Europeanization Assassination of Archduke

Franz Ferdinand Beginning of WWI


Wood processing, mining, industrial production, intensive usage of railway, development of technical education, social and economic progress.


The map of Bosnia and Herzegovina as at the Congress of Berlin 1878

Historical Overview Rise and Fall of Yugoslavias 1918-1992

Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians 1918-1929 Kingdom of Yugoslavia 1929-1941 WWII and Peoples Liberation War and Socialist

Revolution

The Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia consisted of 6 republics

Historical Overview Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia 1945-1992

Yugoslavia under CPY has experience tremendous social and economic progress in first 30 years after WWII

Yugoslavia gain respect and recognition of the world


Sarajevo XIV Winter Olympic Games-Peak of Yugoslavia


During 1980s, upon death of Marshal Tito, long lasting communist leader, Yugoslavia was faced with economic as well as political crisis.

Yugoslavia failed to reinvent itself, and differences of future prospects of different republics continue to grow.

Bosnia and Herzegovina opted for Yugoslavia in all possible forms provided that both Serbia and Croatia remain part of it.

Based on the recommendations of the International Arbitrary Commission, the dissolution of SFRY was stated and the republics were invited to declare their position on the independence.


Slovenia and Croatia declared independence, and Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to go on referendum on its future status.

Referendum held on 1st March 1992 showed that 64.31% of total voters participated while 99.44% of them responded in favor of independence.

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina became member of UN on 22nd May 1992

After the independence wars in Slovenia and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina became the victim of bestial destruction of human and physical resources.

Historical Overview Bosnian War 1992-1995

Due to arms embargo, disproportionate international conflict involving regular military forces of neighboring countries on territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina

More than 110,000 killed, 30,000 raped, 1 million displaced

Sarajevo under siege for 42 months –the longest siege in history

Ethnic cleansing radically changed ethnic composition, The International Criminal Tribunal for the former

Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established in 1993 as a body of the UN to prosecute war crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, and to try their perpetrators.


In February 2007 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concurred with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia judgment confirming Srebrenica massacre as genocide


Dayton Peace Accord 1995 Preserved sovereignty and territorial integrity Administrative division mainly follows military

lines Peace building and reconstruction of

devastated country State building and Reconciliation process Lessons from the past and looking forward

approach

Bosnia and Herzegovina Peace and Prosperity

Security and stability Return of refugees and building up multiethnic society Reconstruction lead economic development European integration process

BH Economy

in million of Euros 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011**

Nominal GDP 8200 8800 9900 11100 12600 12300 12650 13200

GDP per Capita in Euros 2122 2283 2564 2898 3289 3194 3293 3426

Real Growth Rate 6.30% 3.90% 6% 6.20% 5.70% -0.29% 0.70% 1.80%

Industrial Production Growth Rate 9% 10% 11% 10% 9.20% -3.30% 1.60% 6.10%

Average Inflation on Annual Level 0.40% 3.80% 6.10% 1.50% 7.40% -0.40% 3.10% 3.80%

BH Unemployment Rate 43.20% 43% 31% 29% 23.40% 24.10% 27.10% 27.60%

Average Net Wages in Euros 258 275 300 322 385 404 408 416

Foreign Debt 2.061 2.218 2.081 2.025 2.168 2.658 3.195 3.323

Foreign Debt / GDP 25.1% 25.2% 21.0% 18.2% 17.2% 21.6% 25.3% 25.2%

Current Account Deficit -1443.17 -1499.67 -769.65 -1156.18 -1797.7 -761.57 -761.82 -1073.71

CAD/GDP 17.60% 17.04% 7.77% 10.41% 14.27% 6.19% 6.02% 8.13%

Exports 1676.94 2087.25 2687.24 3091.54 3522 2920.25 3761.93 4333.81

Export Growth 28.70% 24.10% 28.70% 15.04% 13.92% -17.08% 28.82% 15.20%

Imports 5354.50 6092.92 6093.07 7233.58 8344.63 6330.11 7020.81 8006.46

Imports Coverage 30.29% 32.15% 45.34% 42.72% 42.21% 44.80% 52,1% 54.12%

FDI 412 282 442 1329 684 180 174 240***

Foreign Reserves 1779 2160 2787 3425 3219 3176 3301 3118.9

* Source: Centra l Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina

** Prel iminary figures

*** Prel iminary figure for fi rs t three quarters of 2011

Bosnia and Herzegovina

General Economic Indicators*

EU integration process

In 1999 B&H was offered the perspective of the accession of the European Union through the Stabilization and Association Process.

Negotiations with the EU on the Stabilization and Association Agreement began in 2006

B&H has signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU in 2008 thus becoming an associate member of the European Union

Submission of the application for the membership in the European Union this year

The European Integration Process is equally important as the EU membership because while undertaking this process our country will complete necessary institutional changes, in addition to the absolute adjustment to the European standards.

萨拉热窝(Sarajevo)

波黑首都，30多年前《瓦尔特保卫萨拉热窝》在中国放映，使得这座城市在中国家喻户晓。萨拉热窝1984年举办了冬奥会。

莫斯塔尔(Mostar) Mostar意为“桥的守护者”，是波黑最主要的旅游城市之一。

莫斯塔尔以一座古老石桥著称，老桥已被列入联合国教科文组织世界遗产保护名单。

市街道和建筑风格老桥

巴尼亚卢卡(Banja Luka)

巴尼亚卢卡早就以众多林荫大道和风景秀美的公园和花园而闻名于世，因此它有“绿色之都”的雅号。

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梅杜戈耶小镇（MEĐUGORJE）

在梅杜戈耶小镇一直流传着这样一个故事，梅杜戈耶本是一个名不见经传的小镇，但1981年的一天六个在山上玩耍的少年声称自己看到了圣母玛利亚，随之此山便被命名为显圣山，从此小镇声名鹊起。

圣母玛利亚雕像小镇美景

极限运动：漂流在雅虎旅游一项名为“2012最不能错过的十大冒险地”的调查中，波黑榜上有名。波黑的漂流举世闻名：乌纳（Una）、弗尔巴斯（Vrbas）、内雷特瓦（Neretva）和塔拉（Tara）河都是极佳的漂流地点。期待刺激！期待惊险！期待与自然的搏斗！期待“有惊无险”后的轻松！

在忙碌的都市生活中，人们一直在寻找的不就是这样一种激动、一种区别于平凡生活的独特感受吗？

两位诺贝尔奖获得者

弗拉迪米尔·普雷洛格（Vladimir Prelog）于1975年荣获诺贝尔化学奖。伊沃·安德里奇于1961年荣获诺贝尔文学奖。

波黑电影业

萨拉热窝电影节无疑是萨拉热窝的年度盛事，创建18年以来，它已成为本地区最为重要的电影节，每年众多明星出席。

波黑电影业电影《瓦尔特保卫萨拉热窝》早已家喻户晓。波黑导演丹尼斯·塔诺维奇因电影《无人地带》荣获奥斯卡金像奖。

瓦尔特保卫萨拉热窝丹尼斯·塔诺维奇

丰富多彩的文化生活

The relations between the two peoples go back to the period of the Silk

Route

Federative People's Republic of Yugoslavia recognized PR China on 1st

October 1949

Bilateral relation between Bosnia and

Herzegovina and PR China

PR China, as UN SC member, supported membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to UN on 22nd May 1992

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as one of the six successor states of former Yugoslavia, was recognized by People’s Republic of China on 3rd April 1995.

The Embassy of PR of China was opened in Sarajevo during March 1997 while the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina was opened in Beijing in January 1999.

Bosnia and Herzegovina pursues "One China" policy and thereby recognizes the PRC as the sole and legal representative of China.

There are no outstanding political issues between B&H and the PRC given that the two countries follow peaceful foreign policies based on friendship, mutual trust and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in internal affairs and mutual benefit.



There is immediate opportunity for Chinese corporate

sector to take participation in development of our transport

infrastructure including construction of backbone highway

network.

中国公司可以直接参与交通基础设施的发展，包括建设骨干公路网。

Chinese corporations should be able to use leverage of

its technological superiority as well as domestic source of

soft funds competing for the projects.

中国公司可以利用自己先进的技术及本国的资金来竞标。

Areas of economic cooperation that

should be explored by Chinese corporate

sector

中国公司可以开拓的经济合作领域

Power production is one of the most significant export

oriented sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with long

tradition and huge potentials and opportunities for

further development and investment.

发电是波黑最重要的以出口为导向的工业部门之一，它的历史很长，潜力巨大，投资和发展的机会很多。

There are concrete projects prepared by relevant

governmental bodies to build numerous hydro and

thermo power plants as well as wind farms.

波黑政府部门已经有具体的投资项目，如水力发电厂，热力发电厂和风力发电厂等。

中国公司可以开拓的经济合作领域

Other economic sectors with comparative advantages

in BH opened for Chinese investments are:

波黑对中国投资开放的具有相对优势的经济领域还有：

Wood processing industries 木材加工工业

Textile & leather industries 纺织和皮革工业

Agriculture & food processing 农业和食品加工业

Machinery & automobile industries 机械和汽车工业

Pharmaceutical industry 医药工业

Tourism 旅游业

Education 教育

Sectors to Consider Investing in BH

可以考虑的波黑投资领域

想要了解更多信息，请和我们联系！

Amel Kovačević, ambassador

e-mail: [email protected]