Address by Chairman Zvizdić at Western Balkans Summit in Vienna

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Dr Denis Zvizdić participates at the working session of Prime Ministers devoted to the economic situation and reform processes in the region, within the Western Balkan countires Summit, taking place today in Vienna. The address by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH is provided blow in its integrity. 

“Esteemed Excellences, honourable Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure for being provided an opportunity to participate at such important event, and to express, on behalf of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the institution I lead, a gratitude for the new approach of the EU towards my country., and the region in a whole, initiated in Berlin last year, and which, among other things, by this event, too, attests to the successfulness of the process being lunched. Due to this new EU approach, and voiced determination of BIH authorities for necessary reform implementation, confirmed by a Declaration of the BIH Presidency, Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a series of year shadowed by insufficient progress in the European integrations process and in other reform processes, now enters a new chapter of its relations with the European Union.

Taking effect of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement is the first major step, in addition to participation in regional initiatives, such as the Berlin Process, which all move Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region a step forward towards the EU membership.

Since its formation this April, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed, though its concrete measures and activities, its decisiveness, persistence and necessary agreements, in required reforms implementation in strategic priority areas, namely, in economic reforms, intensification of EU integrations process, rule of law and fight against terrorism and all forms of organised crime and corruption, as well as fostering of regional cooperation.

The key document for socio-economic reforms implementation is the Reform Agenda, adopted by all-level authorities in BIH, conclusive at July 27 this year. Here, I would like to note that that all-level authorities, State, Entity, Brčko District and cantonal ones, recognised the significance of the document, i.e. importance of implementation of all listed measures to create basis for vitally needed economic growth of the country.

The Reform Agenda is a result of diligent work and consultations between the Council of Ministers, Entity Governments, Delegation of the European Union and international financial institutions, and measures and activities set forth by the Agenda represent really those measures which are necessary to implement in mid-term, in order to provide for recovery of shattered BIH economy and economic growth. All the efforts have an ultimate goal of securing better and higher quality life to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I wish to convince you that it is not just one among documents to end at the dead letter; in fact, needed reforms are in no way simple, on the contrary, some of them are rather unpopular and produce a strong echo in the public as they seem not to suit those used to benefits, which are a residue from the past times, and as such they have no place in modern and development-oriented BIH economy.

Each of these reform measures presume necessary approximation of BIH economy to   the standards as they are in the European Union and they tend to improve the general socio-economic state of affairs in the country. As you are all very well aware, the implementation of such reforms is burdensome, but we stand ready to face it. A major test of the reform agenda implementation was the recent adoption of the Law on Labour in the Federation of BIH. Attempts at obstruction of adoption of this crucial reform piece of legislation, which should  eventually take the BIH labour market into the same standing as the EU members’, failed. I am pleased to announce that the Law came into force in the federation of BIH about ten days ago. We expect other levels of authority in BIH to follow suit.

The implementation of reform measures at the level of the Council of Ministers of BIH had started even before the official adoption of the Reform Agenda. To mention some of relevant documents adopted, which confirm our commitment to reform processes: namely, we adopted Amendments and Supplements to the Criminal Code of BIH, aiming at aligning it with the Moneyval recommendations, after several years of obstruction, thus preventing unforeseeable consequences to BIH economy and society in a whole; we adopted the Anti-Corruption Strategy, fostered the Anti-Corruption Agency, and adopted a new Strategy for prevention and combating terrorism, and we strengthened our law enforcement agencies for the purpose of intensified combating terrorism and all forms of crime. We adopted several pieces of legislation, which presume further harmonisation with the EU acquis and standards. We established a National Investment Committee, and adopted BIH Transport Policy, by which we fulfilled preconditions to submit  candidacy for two projects for co-financing under the 2015 Call for Projects, and which will be confirmed at this Summit.

However, although the above measures sign a good start, they are yet a start, and we are to pull our strength for the period ahead, and employ full decisiveness and seriousness in implementation of other measures targeting strengthening of taxation policy, public finances reform, ensuring fiscal stability, reform measures in welfare and pension and health care system, improvement of business climate and competitiveness, public administration reform and rule of law, all in view at early as possible  benefiting from their results by all citizens of BIH in terms of improved living standard. My country deserves it, so do my compatriots.

Let me complete my address by a conclusion that you may find in the Council of Ministers of BIH a serious partner, whole commitment to reforms is not just a declarative one, but it rather takes utmost efforts to have these reforms implemented, as well. I am really hopeful that the next time we meet at such important event, I will have an honour to brief you of concrete results achieved and that at that time we will be able to inform you of the next breakthrough in getting close to the European Union  membership – our application filled for the EU membership.

Thank you!”

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