Republika Sjeverna Makedonija i Bosna i Hercegovina od uspostavljanja diplomatskih odnosa do danas (1993-2022)

The Republic of North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are friendly countries that have no outstanding issues and have been continuously improving their cooperation in all spheres of socio-political life and the economy on both bilateral and multilateral levels since their independence in 1993 to the present (2022). The ties and cooperation between these two states and their citizens have deep historical roots. The territory of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of North Macedonia has been part of the same state entities for more than five centuries, in various, but also very similar positive or negative contexts and processes. This has allowed for not only cooperation but also understanding and mutual support among the people of North Macedonia (Macedonians, Bosniaks, as well as Albanians, Turks, and others) and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Certainly, the Bosniaks in North Macedonia are the most significant factor in connecting the two states. Unlike Macedonians and other people of North Macedonian origin in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are in smaller numbers and have a very short continuity from the time of the former Yugoslavia, the Bosniaks are part of Macedonia's distant past, as well as its contemporary Macedonian reality. Without them, no process or Macedonian story would be complete. Therefore, in addition to a chronological overview of the establishment and development of bilateral relations between the two countries since their independence, this paper will also focus on the position of Bosniaks in North Macedonia and Macedonians in Bosnia and Herzegovina after independence. Although there are very important historical processes before independence, I believe it is more important to pay attention to the current moment, which is the goal of this academic conference.