The historical and cultural links between Algeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina go deep into the past. We must recall that the history of the two countries had undergone developments and events that have contributed to bringing them closer at various stages. By way of illustration, one of the most known Algerian families bears the name of Bouchenak, a tiny derivative of Bosniak.
Furthermore, and in a more recent stage of history, the Algerian-Yugoslav friendship has helped to further consolidate the links between Algeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Closer to home, this friendship has evolved through the following elements:
- Algeria was among the first countries to recognise the nascent Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 24th of April 1992. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries took place on 20 January 1993.
- 20th of December 2010: Mr. Mourad MEDELCI was the first Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Sarajevo on an official visit. Beyond the exchanges he had with his Bosnian counterpart, Sven ALKALAJ and the authorities he met, Mr MEDELCI proceeded to the signature, with Mr ALKALAJ, of a bilateral agreement on the exemption of visa for the holders of diplomatic passports of both countries. The visit was concluded by a press conference of Mr MEDELCI.
- From 27th to 29th May 2018: the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor CRNADAK, paid an official visit to Algeria, at the invitation of his counterpart Abdelkader MESSAHEL. In addition to discussions with MFA MESSAHEL, he met a number of personalities, including the President of the Council of the Nation (Senat), the President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and Mines, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During all these meetings, both parties expressed their willingness to strengthen economic and trade relations and to raise them to the level of the potential of these sectors in both countries.
During his meeting with the President of the Council of Nation, the importance of creating an Algerian-Bosnian Parliamentary Friendship Commission was underlined in order to intensify bilateral relations and enrich them in the field of parliamentary practice.
- 06th May 2021: announcement by the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sabri BOUKADOUM, of the decision agreed in the framework of reciprocity, of the imminent opening of the Algerian Embassy in Sarajevo and that of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Algiers. This was agreed upon during a phone discussion during which the Minister and his Bosnian counterpart, Mrs. Bisera TURKOVIC, exchanged views on the prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation and discussed a number of international and regional issues.
- 09th May 2022: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ramtane LAMAMRA, met with his Bosnian counterpart, Bisera TURKOVIC, who was in Algeria on a working visit. They welcomed, in particular, the decision taken by the high authorities of both countries to strengthen diplomatic representation, through the opening of embassies in the respective capitals.
Minister TURKOVIC was received, during her stay in Algiers, by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE.
- 14th of June 2022, Sarajevo: Presentation by Ambassador Toufik MILAT, to President Sefik DZAFEROVIC, of the credentials accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- 10 September 2022: Opening of the Algerian Embassy in Sarajevo during a ceremony led by Ambassador Toufik MILAT, in which took part members of the Algerian Community residing in Bosnia-Herzegovina.