Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey share a long common history, and the friendly relations between the two countries are upheld by numerous economic, cultural and social connections.
Turkey is perceived as a friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the main investors in the country. Apart from the Ottoman heritage, best reflected in Bosnia's architecture, Sarajevo's Old Town is a place where one can find many Turkish products.
The Doner Kebab, a delicacy Turkey is known for, is probably what most people see a the most obvious symbol for Turkey. Countless doner kebab places can be found in Sarajevo, but this is by far not the only Turkish thing that can be found in Bosnia.
There is also the money.
As the 11th biggest investor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey has poured 390 million Marks into the country with the end of 2016 – 3% of all foreign investments. Most of this money went into the production of goods. The three most important investments are Natron-Hayat in Maglaj, Soda Lukavac and the Turkish Ziraat Bank.
But what do citizens first think about when Turkey is brought up?
– “Turkey helped BH after the war. It made numerous donations, and our political relations are good.”
– “We are the same nation, the same everything.”
– “Mostly the common religion. Maybe business as well, what is being done.”
And business is booming. Throughout the past year, Turkey and BH have traded goods worth 1.1 billion Bosnian Marks. Oil and meat top the list of items exported to Turkey. Weapons and ammunition are also among the top ten most exported foods, worth 18,2 million Bosnian Marks. Bosnia also exports nuclear reactors and boilers to the country.
Goods worth more than 650 million Bosnian Marks have also been imported into Bosnia from Turkey. We visited a shop selling exclusively Turkish products in Bascarsija, the historic, cultural and tourist center in the heart of Sarajevo. The owner is from Turkey and the highly educated staff speaks Turkish.
“People mostly buy olive oil, durum wheat and spices.They are satisfied with the quality. More and more citizens are coming and buying these products,” said Muamera Zilic, one of the employees.
Political support is also important. Turkey is a member of the BH peace process and is involved in creating the positions of the Office of the High Representative in regard to the most important political challenges in the country.
“Turkey never brought any instability here. Turkey has always been a stabilizing factor,” said Rizvan Halilovic, chairman of the Bosnia-Turkey Friendship Association “Bosfor”.
But there are differing views regarding Turkey's involvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina – as there are regarding any involvement of Russia and the United States.
