The UK’s commitment to Bosnia is stronger than ever and the two countries maintain a great partnership, the newly appointed UK Ambassador to Bosnia, Matthew Field, said after he handed his credentials to current Chairman of the tripartite Presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic.

‘Relations between our two countries are close and long-term. It is a partnership, based on mutual trust, sincerity and cooperation in practice,’ the new Ambassador said.  

He said that the UK Government has been committed in supporting Bosnia in it's develoment into a prosperous country and that the UK will increase the financial support it is providing for countries in the region.

‘We will continue to support your institutions, business leaders, judges, police officers, soldiers, teachers and youth,’ he said.  

He also said that, although UK citizens decided to leave the European Union, this will not in any way decrease his country’s support for Bosnia’s path toward the Union and NATO.  

‘To the contrary, Brexit will imply a stronger, not a weaker presence of the United Kingdom here,’ he said.  

Field has previously worked in the UK Foreign Affairs Ministry. He knows the situation in Bosnia well, as he also used to be the head of Political Section at the EU Special Representative Office in Bosnia.