Swiss Foreign Minister to visit Bosnia: Strengthening bilateral ties and OSCE cooperation

In Sarajevo, Cassis will hold high-level meetings with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmedin Konakovic. The discussions will focus on deepening bilateral relations, the current political landscape, and the strengthening of state-level institutions.

Focus on development and reform

A key component of the visit is the Swiss Cooperation Programme 2025–2028, through which Switzerland intends to provide grant funding of up to 30 million Bosnian marks (approx € 15.34 million) per year. Totaling approximately 120 million marks (approx € 61.35 million) over the four-year period, these funds are earmarked for:

• Democratic Governance: Improving the transparency and accountability of public institutions.
• Economic Prosperity: Supporting job creation and sustainable growth.
• Health and Social Cohesion: Enhancing primary healthcare and fostering social dialogue.

OSCE leadership and election integrity

Cassis’ visit also carries significant international weight as he currently serves as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for 2026. In this capacity, he will visit the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and meet with the Central Electoral Commission. These talks are expected to address the integrity of democratic processes and the OSCE's ongoing support for election observation.

Beyond formal diplomatic meetings, the Swiss Foreign Minister will engage in an exchange with mayors from both the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska, as well as leaders from the business community, to discuss dialogue as a factor for social cohesion.