Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 100th Session

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH ADOPTED 2026 WORK PROGRAMME 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted unanimously the Council of Ministers Work Programme for 2026, upon a proposal by the Office of Chairwoman.

The Work Programme breaks down all activities the Council of Ministers of BIH plans to take in 2026, based on proposals by Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing .to implementation of the adopted strategic aims and priorities under the Strategic Framework of BIH Institutions to 2030, as well as 2026-2028 Mid-Term Work Programme of the Council of Ministers of BIH, adopted at the previous CoM session.

According to the Programme, the Council of Ministers of BIH remains committed to the implementation of priority tasks stemming from both the European Commission documents relevant to the EU accession process and Stabilisation and Accession Agreement, including earlier assumed obligations as to UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

The Council of Ministers Secretariat-General will pass the Programme to the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH. 

REFORM AGENDA: REFORMS PROGRAMME FOF BIH DETAILED ANALYSIS ADOPTED 

The session adopted a detailed analysis of Bosnia and Herzegovina Reforms Programme, drafted by the Directorate for Economic Planning, upon request by the Council of Ministers of BIH, in line with conclusions from the 33rd session of the Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives.

The aim of the Analysis is to report to decisions takers on the Reform Agenda contents and priorities and operative steps needed for implementation thereof, with an emphasis to connection of the reforms with European integrations, sustainable economic growth and institutional strengthening.

The Analysis provides a review of indicative reforms and sets a foundation for decision makers on needed operative steps for managing its implementation.

The acts include setting-up a coordination platform (policy board) for the Agenda implementation, integration of reform steps into budget cycles and mandatory development plans of all-level institutions and arranging a mechanism of cross-institutional cooperation (state, entities, Brčko District, cantons).

The overarching aim is directed to development of a functional and sustainable economy and strengthening of institutions and rule of law, which specific aims are directed to reform priorities in democracy, energy, digitalisation, education, employment and social policy. 

BIH-EFTA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT-RELAETD DECISION 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Trade mad Economic Relations-proposed decision on application of a full cumulation within the Free Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) member-countries, after a positive opinion was provided by the economy-responsible institutions.

Under the decision, an application of full cumulation is being extended to import of textile and textile products covered by chapters 50-63 of the existing customs tariffs within the Free Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and EFTA.

The decision is consistent with an Appendix to Decision of the Regulatory Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin Joint Board, of Dec. 17, 2023, amending the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin.

The decision takes effect on the eighth day of publication in the “Official Gazette of BIH”, and will be in application 60 days as of the day of publication thereof, which provides sufficient time for all stakeholders to get informed and prepared for the application thereof. 

DECISION ADOPTED ON SETTING-UP CoM BIH ROMA BOARD 

A decision was taken on setting-up a Roma Board under the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, upon the Ministry for Himan Rights and Refugees’ proposal.

The 18-member Board will be comprised of nine representatives of BIH Institutions (with their alternate members) and Roma NGOs and will serve as an expert, advisory and coordination body under the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Board competences will be consideration, initiating and proposing recommendations concerning all issues relevant for improvement of position of Romas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pursuant to the existing laws and international obligations of BIH.

 IMPLEMETNATION OF HIGH EDUCATION IN BIH DEVELOPPMENT PRIORITIES 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on implementation of Priorities for development of high education in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2016-2026, to be sent to competent institutions in BIH.

The piece of information reviews activities taken and results achieved on implementation of 2022-2024priorities for development of high education, classified in seven key areas, namely: Good Governance and Management; Resources; Connection between Labour Market and Education; Standards and Qualifications; Students Experience; Internationalisation and Statistics. 

PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORTS 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of several performance audit reports of the Audit Office of BIH, referring to energy efficacy in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adoption and Application of Code of Ethic; Activities of BIH Institutions in Securing Competition in Public Job Ads, Effectivity of Institutions of BIH in Uniform Deployment within Salary Band; and Definition of Customs Value of Used Motor Vehicles. 

APPOINTMENTS 

The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Saša Marić for Ombudsman for Consumers Protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the most successful candidate from the rank list of successful candidates for section and appointment, after finalised relevant job vacancy procedure.

Based on the Civil Service Agency of BIH, the Council of Ministers of BIH released Emina Jahović from her duty of manager of Insurance Agency of BIH, due to her retirement, as of Februiary 16, 2026.

The Civil Service Agency of BIH should start urgently a procedure for selection and appointment of Manager of the Insurance Agency of BIH.

Adem Zolota was appointed acting Manager until the end of the relevant job vacancy procedure, for three months at longest. 

The session accepted the Civil Service Agency’s opinion and belonging documentation as to appointment of managing civil servants, namely Danijela Mrda as Manager and Edin Veladžić as Deputy Manager of the Archives of BIH.

The Civil Service Agency of BIH should open a job vacancy ad for the second Deputy Manger of the Archives of BIH.

Previously, the current Manager Danijela Mrda and Deputy Manager Fuad Ohranović were released from their posts due to term expiry. 

CONSENT GRANTING 

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent,  upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ proposal, to appoint Captain Ikram Ullah Watto for Defence Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his seat in Ankara. (end)