Speaking in a Friday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Sarajevo, Zvizdic thanked Iran for its support for his country in the past, saying Iran is in the heart of every Bosnian citizen.

Describing Tehran-Sarajevo bilateral ties as “very friendly”, the Bosnian premier said he sees no problem in relations but his government is willing to expand economic collaboration with Iran.

“Signing preferential trade agreements, establishing banking connections and facilitating [procedures for obtaining] visas are among measures needed to be taken to remove obstacles to greater trade cooperation,” he said.

Zarif, in turn, conveyed the warm greetings of Iran’s First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri and extended his invitation to Zvizdic to visit Tehran.

“Bosnia has been in the heart of Iranians since a long time ago. Tehran sees no limit to expansion of relations and cooperation with Bosnia,” he said.

Zarif said Iran’s policy is to help boost solidarity and stability of Bosnia and cooperate with all ethnic groups in the country.

“The meeting of Iran-Bosnia joint economic commission would help foster economic cooperation between the two sides,” Zarif said.

“Establishing direct banking relations and facilitating [procedures for obtaining] visas can also help remove obstacles to cooperation,” he said.

Facilitating Visa Regime High on Agenda

Earlier in the day, Zarif also met with Ognjen Tadić, the Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and several other members of the legislative body.

In the Friday meeting, Tadić welcomed the top Iranian diplomat and said he takes pride in having visited Iran two years ago.

“I had the honour to travel to Iran in 2016 and be a guest of [Iranian Parliament Speaker] Dr. Ali Larijani. I have good memories of that trip, which had a good outcome as well. I felt first-hand the friendship between Iranian people and the Bosnian nation,” said the parliamentarian.

The Iranian foreign minister, in turn, conveyed Larijani’s warmest greetings to the Bosnian lawmaker.

“I had a very fruitful trip where businessmen and entrepreneurs of both countries did good work together. We are keen to see sustainable stability and friendship in Bosnia and we call for cooperation with all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the foreign minister underlined.

Zarif said the two nations enjoy age-old and robust cultural ties, adding, “We stand ready for the enhancement of relations on all fronts and we have no limitations in that regard.”

Also on the agenda of the talks were the enhancement of people-to-people exchanges, especially in the tourism sector, promotion of economic and trade ties, and offering visa services.

The two sides further exchanged views on regional and international issues as well as the need for an all-out campaign against terrorism and extremism.

Also in the meeting, representatives of both chambers of the legislature (the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina) welcomed the Iranian foreign minister and announced that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legislature supports the promotion of relations with Iran in all areas.

Meeting with Grand Mufti of Bosnia

Zarf also held talks with Grand Mufti (Reis ul-Ulema) of Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein Kavazović during his visit to Sarajevo.

During the meeting, which took place after the Iranian Foreign Minister participated in Friday Prayers in Sarajevo, the Bosnian cleric gave a report on the situation of Muslims in the region.

In a Friday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Sarajevo, Begovic extended a warm welcome to the Iranian foreign minister and his accompanying delegation and showed his country’s deep appreciation for the support coming from Iran.

“The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina from all ethnic groups will never forget Iran’s support,” he noted.

Begovic then said the political and cultural relations between the two sides are now standing at an ideal level, but the economic ties have not yet developed at the same pace over the past years.

However, he added, the grounds are now prepared for a jump in economic relations between the two sides after the removal of international sanctions on Iran.

“We are now exploring ways to facilitate banking relations and visa issuance for two sides’ people. The obstacles will surely be removed,” he noted.

For his part, the Iranian foreign minister gave the warm regards of the Iranian president to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency members and said Tehran attaches great importance to all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We hope the relations and social cohesion among Bosnian ethnic groups would grow further to see more security and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Islamic Republic of Iran will always stand by you,” he added.

Zarif then referred to the visit of a high-ranking Iranian delegation along with him to the country and said the visit could be a good starting point for expediting economic ties between the two sides.

He said Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina have various fields of mutual interests for expanding relations and added Iran can be a reliable source of energy for the country.

The Iranian foreign minister said there are a number of obstacles hampering expansion of commercial relations between the two sides and expressed hope the obstacles could be removed through bilateral cooperation to facilitate customs and banking relations and visa issuance and expansion of commercial and people-to-people ties.

Zarif cited terrorism and fight against extremism as one of the main common concerns between Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the European Union.

He said extremism has nothing to do with Islam and other religions and added ideological and cultural fight against extremism should be among the top priorities of all.

“Establishment of cooperation in this field is in the interest of regional and international peace and security.”

During the talks, other members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency expressed their will to expand and deepen their country’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields.

The Iranian top diplomat, who arrived in Sarajevo on Thursday, earlier held talk with Bosnian Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Minister Mirko Sarovic.

During the Friday meeting, the two sides conferred on the ways of expanding economic and commercial relations, creating facilities and removing obstacles to expansion of ties.

Iran, Bosnia Confer on Combating Terrorism

Zarif also held talks with his Bosnian counterpart Igor Crnadak on the need to combat terrorists and extremists as a common threat to the world.

In their Friday talks, the two sides reviewed the latest developments in relations between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields and stressed the development of mutual ties in all spheres.

Zarif and Crnadak also discussed the latest regional and international developments and the need for closer cooperation between the two countries at the international organizations.

The Iranian and Bosnian top officials further exchanged views on the need to combat terrorists and extremists as a common threat to all regions of the world.

Furthermore, they called for the cooperation of the two countries in this regard and also the boosting of tourism and people-to-people relations as well as visa facilitation for businesspeople and entrepreneurs of Iran and Bosnia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the last leg of Iranian foreign minister’s regional tour to Eastern Europe and the Balkans which began on Monday. Earlier he held talks with officials in Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia.

A high-ranking political and economic delegation, including businessmen and entrepreneurs from the private and public sectors, are accompanying the top Iranian diplomat.