Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH H.E. Sven Alkalaj met with Foreign Minister of Canada H.E. John Baird on 22 December 2011.

At the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the progress made in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Baird stressed the close connection between the two countries and expressed hope that this trend will hold in the future.

After the presentation about the current political and economic situation, the Ministers discussed the possibility of liberalizing the visa regime and Minister Bird has promised that he will personally contact the relevant institutions in Canada and discuss the possibility of issuing visas to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period of 5 years. Also, the suggestion to approach the start of negotiations for signing the agreement on avoidance of double taxation was accepted by Minister Baird.

Speaking about the contractual regulation of social insurance, the intention to initiate procedures in 2012 was reiterated, but no solid promises were made by the Canadian side.

In the final stage of talks, the work of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ottawa was praised.