Economic Cooperation Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy Signed in Sarajevo

(Patria) - As part of the visit of Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani to our country, the "Economic Dialogue: Italy - BiH" was held at the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, and the Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Companies (ICE).

Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac and Minister Tajani signed the "Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Government of the Republic of Italy on Economic Cooperation".

The Agreement was concluded to establish an appropriate legal framework for further strengthening economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries, as well as improving contractual relations and creating a framework for institutional cooperation between the two states.

The Economic Dialogue was opened with addresses by Konaković, Tajani, and Košarac.

Konaković welcomed the signing of the Agreement and emphasized the importance of past cooperation, expressing confidence that future joint steps will deepen ties and open new horizons for the economic prosperity of both countries within the EU and beyond.

He stated that the "Economic Dialogue Italy - BiH" takes place in the context of our aspirations for EU accession and the single European market, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina actively continues to work on reforms, strengthening its connectivity and European integration.

Minister Tajani spoke about the importance of the Balkans for Italy, emphasizing that the countries of the Eastern Balkans are countries that belong to Europe and that there is an unquestionable need to support them on their path of progress, both economically and administratively, as well as in all other segments in which they develop in order to become equal members of the European community.

Minister Košarac emphasized the importance of intensifying economic cooperation for both sides, expressing satisfaction with today's signing of the Agreement. He announced the imminent signing of several more agreements between the two countries, for which activities on harmonization are being accelerated.

The President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, Vjekoslav Vuković, emphasized that the EU is the most important foreign trade partner of BiH, accounting for 72% of total exports and 67% of imports.

According to his words, Italy is among the leading foreign trade partners within the EU and one of the most significant investors in BiH.

He stated that strengthening cooperation between the two countries is possible only through a synergistic approach of all key actors: the business community, the chamber of commerce system, and relevant state institutions, and that this was the goal of today's gathering.

Those present were also addressed by the Italian Ambassador to BiH, Marco Di Ruzza, the President of the Association of Italian Companies in BiH, Giuseppe Franchi, and representatives of the BiH economy.

All jointly concluded that the goal of today's gathering, the "Economic Dialogue Italy - BiH", is the improvement of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.