The Embassy of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Berlin

H.E. Ambassador Damir Arnaut

H.E. Ambassador Damir Arnaut represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in Germany. He was born on May 5, 1975, and has distinguished service and an extensive background in law and international relations. 

Ambassador Arnaut's academic achievements are notable, having graduated with the highest honours from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in 1997, followed by an M.A. in 1998. He continued his studies at the same institution to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 2002, laying a solid foundation for his legal career.

After graduating from law school, Ambassador Arnaut practised law in Washington, D.C., for nearly five years. His practice areas were recognized by his admission to the New York and Washington D.C. bars, the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, and various other esteemed legal bars and courts.

His career trajectory took a diplomatic turn when he became the Adviser for Legal Affairs to a Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His diplomatic service expanded across continents as he served as the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Australia and New Zealand. Within the national legislature, he contributed as a Member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ambassador Arnaut's reputation in legal circles is also marked by his successful representation of an applicant before the European Court of Human Rights in a discrimination case. In addition to his role in the judiciary, he has been a Representative in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He has held various significant positions, contributing to shaping policy and law both domestically and internationally.

His accreditation as Ambassador to Germany on August 24, 2023, marks another chapter in his distinguished career. He continues to serve Bosnia and Herzegovina with expertise, dedication, and a commitment to fostering solid international ties.

Married to Sanja Bagarić-Arnaut, a news editor and anchor. They have a son Borna (2008) and a daughter Lara (2015).

Germany established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 1992. Since then, bilateral relations have continued to develop in a positive direction. Germany was closely involved in efforts to promote peace and was instrumental in bringing about the Dayton Agreement. Since the conclusion of this agreement, Germany has been engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a variety of ways, for example in the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB), at donor conferences and in the framework of economic cooperation and, until 2012, by providing German contingents for the EU military mission EUFOR ALTHEA and the EU police mission (EUPM), which ended in 2012. Germany has provided financial support as well as sending teams of experts to assist local efforts to deal with the severe flood disaster that hit Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2014.

In addition, for many years Germany has funded conflict prevention projects through the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Today, Germany is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important foreign policy partners. It has helped – in particular through the November 2014 German-British initiative for a renewed political approach of the European Union towards Bosnia and Herzegovina – to revive the country’s economic and social reform process and support its efforts to move closer to the EU. The Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU came into force on 1st of June 2015 and Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its EU accession application on 15 February 2016.

Bosnia and Herzegovina sees Germany as one of its principal advocates in Europe and as a supporter of its efforts to move the country closer to the European Union and NATO. Germany’s political weight – and the expectations pinned on Germany – have thus increased significantly.

The volume of trade between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina have grown in recent years. Germany is the country’s most important trading partner. A bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement came into force on 11th of November 2007. The German-Yugoslav double taxation agreement dating from 1988 is still in force. There is a Delegation of German Industry and Commerce office in Sarajevo. In addition, a German-Bosnian/Herzegovinian Business Association was set up in summer 2007, which now has more than 120 member companies.

Cultural relations between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina are close on account of the two countries’ geographical proximity and the intensive historical, cultural and personal ties existing between them. The experiences of guest workers from the former Yugoslavia in Germany have helped consolidate Germany’s positive image in the country. There is keen interest in the German language and German culture. To promote cooperation, a cultural agreement was signed that entered into force on 4 January 2006.