Why did the Congress of Berlin place Bosnia and Herzegovina under Austro-Hungarian rule in 1878?

The Congress of Berlin (1878) placed Bosnia and Herzegovina under the occupation and administration of Austria-Hungary primarily to serve the geopolitical interests of the major European powers involved in the diplomatic settlement.1

Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the Congress was convened to revise the Treaty of San Stefano, which had granted Russia significant influence in the Balkans. By authorizing Austria-Hungary to occupy and govern Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Congress aimed to:1

• Increase Austro-Hungarian influence: This move allowed the Habsburg monarchy to expand its presence and authority within the Balkans.1
• Counterbalance Russian power: The decision was part of a broader effort to limit Russian expansion and maintain the Ottoman Empire as a European power, thereby satisfying the strategic interests of Great Britain and other powers.1

While the territory remained notionally under Turkish sovereignty, this arrangement fundamentally shifted control to the Austro-Hungarians, who subsequently took military control of the region in 1878.2