Ammar Miraščija, Head of Department for Science / National FP7 coordinator at the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Civil Affairs, expressed his excitement at joining the network and developing more COST Actions in this region. "We are truly delighted to join COST as a member country - this is a fantastic opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to help deliver European solutions and build stronger scientific networks."
Researchers from Bosnian institutions have already played an active role in COST Actions as near-neighbouring country participants. So far, they have contributed to Actions in the Individuals, Societies and Cultures and Health (ISCH) and Forestry, Products and their Services (FPS) Domains.
Formerly one of the six federal units constituting the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina gained its independence in 1992. It can be described as a federal democratic republic that is transforming its economy into a market-oriented system, and it is a potential candidate for membership in the European Union and NATO. Also, the country has been a member of the Council of Europe since April 24, 2002 and a founding member of the Mediterranean Union upon its establishment on July 13, 2008.