Burundi and the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were both members of the Non-Aligned Movement and they developed their relations in the framework of the Cold War Third World cooperation.

[1] Yugoslavia was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the independence of Burundi.

[2] Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established already in 1962.

[3] Two countries signed the Agreement on Technical Cooperation on 21 January 1971 which enabled an exchange of experts and scientists between Yugoslavia and Burundi and enabled trade in convertible currencies.

[7] Ethnic violence and war in Yugoslavia, combined with the collapse of the central federal institutions led to the breakup of the country.