Activities for the conclusion of the Social Security Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Bulgaria

A meeting was held in Sarajevo between Ljiljana Jurak, Assistant Minister in the Sector for Labour, Employment, Social Protection and Pensions, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, Valeri Yotov, focusing on the initiation of activities related to the conclusion of a Social Security Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Bulgaria.

During the meeting, the importance of concluding the Agreement was emphasized, as it will enable clearer, safer, and more efficient exercise of rights in the fields of pension and disability insurance, health insurance, as well as other employment-related rights for the citizens of both countries.

Special attention was given to the protection of the rights of workers who were employed in both countries during their working lives, as well as to the simplification of administrative procedures and the strengthening of institutional cooperation between the competent authorities.

It was also proposed that Bosnia and Herzegovina submit an initiative to the Republic of Bulgaria to launch activities towards concluding an Employment Agreement, with the aim of regulating labour migration issues, improving worker mobility, and establishing a clear legal framework for cooperation in the labour market.

The interlocutors expressed their readiness to continue intensive cooperation in order to harmonize the remaining technical issues and create the conditions for the signing of the Agreement in the forthcoming period.

It was concluded that the Agreement will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Bulgaria, and will provide greater legal certainty for citizens who exercise, or plan to exercise, their rights within the social security systems of both countries.