Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 157th Session

SUPPLEMENT LAW TO COURT POLICE 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Justice, a Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Court Police in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Amendments and Supplements to the Law harmonises the legal-labour status of the Court Police of BIH officers with other police officers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, competences, more precisely, jobs and assignments of the BIH Court Police are being defined, as well as its authorisations, pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Code.

The ministry of Justice, via the Council of Ministers Secretariat-General, will provide th4e Proposal Law with its Amendments and Supplements to the BIH parliamentarian Assembly for consideration under regular legislative procedure.

 

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ENERGY EFFICACY PROJECT

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Loan Agreement (Additional Financing of Energy Efficacy Project) between Bosnia and Herzegovina adn the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

The Loan total value is EUR 27.276.989, of which the Federation of BIH was allocated 60% and Republika Srpska 40% of proceeds. The Loan term is 32 years with a seven-year grace period.

The Energy Efficacy Project aims reduction of energy spending in public facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Such projects are relevant for schools, kinder gardens and other public facilities, as well as for the civil construction sector, engaged on such projects.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will provide the Proposal Agreement to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury was proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

FACILITATED COLECTIVE TRIPS OF CHINESE TOURISTS TO BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-initiated Proposal Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relation of BIH and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Peoples’ Republic of China on facilitation of collective trips of Chinese tourists to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group trips by Chinese tourists to Bosnia and Herzegovina will thus be facilitated, for the purpose of boosting bilateral cooperation in tourism.

The proposal for conclusion of the Memorandum will be sent to the BIH Presidency fir further procedure, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations was proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

HARMONISATION OF BIH REGULATIONS WITH EU ACQUIS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on the European Commission recommendations in relation to a strategy of harmonisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina regulations with the European Union acquis in the area of environmental protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The strategy of harmonisation of BIH regulations with the EU acquis in environmental protection in BIH, earlier adopted by the Council of Ministers of BIH, will be published in the “Official Gazette of BIH”.

It is about a strategic planning o an approximation process, creating conditions for the improvement of environmental protection though specific IPA funds.

 

REALISATION OF REVISED BIH STRATEGY FOR ANNEX VII IMPLEMENTATION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a report on realisation of a revised Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for implementation of the Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Accords for year 2017, and took appropriate conclusions in order to complete the process.

In the course of 2017, 902 housing units were reconstructed and 378 assistance projects were implemented in reconstruction of utilities and social infrastructure in the areas where displaced persons and returnees live. The total financial resources realised in 2017 were KM 23.353.018. The number of reconstructed housing units increased last year for 5.7% relative to 2016 Report figures.

For the electrification projects of housing units of displaced persons and returnees about KM 15.750.000 was invested in more than 60 municipalities for about 2.300 housing units or beneficiaries in 2017.

The realisation of the “”Closing of collective centres and alterative accommodation through security housing CEB II Project” started, which provides for closing of 121 collective centres. Five residential building are currently in the process of construction to secure 128 housing units.

According to the report, outside Bosnia and Herzegovina there are 17,694 BIH citizens with a refugee status, while inside Bosnia and Herzegovina there are 32.145 displaced families, i.e. 96.830 displaced persons, and their number decreased for 1.744 persons relative to the 2016 Report, and the number of BIH refugees abroad dropped, as well.

About 1.061.000 returns in Bosnia and Herzegovina were registered to date, of which about 611.000 or 58% was by displaced persons, and about 450.000 or 42% by refugees.

 

SUPPORT TO BIH PARTICIPATION AT FAIR EVENTS ABROAD

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to allocation of funds from current grants intended for participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at fair and other events and activities in 2018 for the sake of promotion of BIH economy abroad.

Under the decision, the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was supported by total KM 350k, broken to 5k-45k allocations for 13 prestigious fair events abroad, while a part of funds were provided for the operation of the Commercial Representation Office in Istanbul.

For its participation at such fair events, the BIH Foreign Commerce Chamber will secure its own funds and join them to those of the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

The realisation of the decision is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

 

INTRODUCTION OF RECOGNITIONS FOR EMIGRANTS AND EMIGRANT ORGANISATIONS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, on criteria and awarding of recognitions for emigrants and emigrant organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the accepted Decision corrections at the session.

A recognition to outstanding individuals in the emigration of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the highest recognition presented by Bosnia and Herzegovina for an exceptional contribution to strengthening of links of the emigration with BIH, with a view at recognising the efforts to date and inciting further cooperation with BIH in various areas of social life.

The recognition will be presented for the areas of economy, science and education, culture and information, professional and amateur sports, health and welfare, and philanthropic and charity activities.

They will be presented biannually, and recognition will go to a single person or organisation.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH will publish a public call at tis web-site for receiving proposals for laureates.

 

FACILITY RECONSTRUCTION AND FLOOR UP-BUILDING FOR ACCOMMODATION OF BIH PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Justice-proposed Decision on approval of a multi-year “Reconstruction of building and up-building of a floor for accommodation of Prosecutor’s Office of BIH Project”, worth KM 4,237,000.00.

The project is financed from the Budget of BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH budget, of which the amount of KM 3,780,000.00 was financed in 2013-2018 time-span, and KM 457,000.00 will be secured in 2019.

 

KM 10k FOR DIGITALISATION OF ARCHIVE MATERIAL

 

 The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to approve KM 10,000.00 from the current budget reserves for the implementation of a Succession Agreement Annex D, which refers to digitalisation of archive materials of the ex-SFRY.

 

GRANT FUNDS FOR CAPACITY BUILDING FOR MONITORING AND REPONSE TO AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENCE IN BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH, took a decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH, on accepting grant funds for the implementation of the “Capacity building for monitoring and response to avian and pandemic influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

It is a USD 2 million worth project, approved to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for Sep. 1, 2016-Aug.31, 2021.

This grant funds from the US Centre for diseases control and prevention will contribute to strengthening, reconstruction and up-building of capacities of responsible institutions in health and veterinary sectors in BIH for the sake of improvement of readiness, diagnostics and response to avian and pandemic influence.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs will provide annual reports on implementation of the project activities to the Council of Ministers of BIH.

 

FRAMEWORK POLICY OF FOREIGNERS’ EMPLOYMENT

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted information on realisation of conclusion of the Council of Ministers of BIH concerning drafting process of a Framework Policy of Foreigners’ Employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs will, in cooperation with institutions responsible for labour, employment and stay of foreigners, prepare a proposal framework policy of foreigners’ employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide it to the Council of Ministers of BIH for adoption.

 

INFORMATION ON KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER FROM DIASPORA

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted information on transfer of knowledge from Diaspora to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Information, among other things, gives a breakdown of human resources, e. i. scientific and expert potential of emigration from BIH, organisation of scientific Diaspora, activities taken by the Ministry for Human Right and Refugees of BIH and other stakeholders in transfer of knowledge of emigration to public institutions and private sector in our country.

According to host countries’ statistics, available to the Ministry for Human Rights and refugees, members of BIH emigration are very well educated. Especially high level of highly educated emigrants were evidenced in Australia (54.6%), USA (41.5%), Sweden (29%), and Norway (38%).

The results of a “Mapping Diaspora” research exercise, done in the second half of 2017 within “Diaspora for Development Project”, confirms that the vast part of expert among emigrants were interested to contribute development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, rightly though transfer to knowledge and skills.

A considerable cooperation in the previous period of time was made with Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Academy of Arts and Science – BHAAS – which gathers about 320 renowned experts in the areas of medicine, natural science, technical, social science and humanities include art and culture. The assistance the BHAAAS extends by granting medical equipment to hospitals and other medical centres throughout BIH surpassed USD half million, and the value of granted personal effort in these areas to Bosnia and Herzegovina is higher than USD 300k.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will continue its activities on transfer of knowledge from the emigration to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as activities to enable a system regulation of transfer of their knowledge, with support from the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH, in accordance with their competences.

 

REFUGEE CHILD PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted information concerning a special report titled “Protection of children affected by refugee crisis from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”, with recommendations of the Lanzarote Committee.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH will provide this information with recommendations to the Ministry of Security of BH and Operative Staff, including to Entity and Brčko District of BH Governments.

Institutions receiving the recommendations are obliged to report on the implementation thereof.

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATION FROM COMMITTEE FOR RIFHTS FO DISABLED PERSONS

The Council of Ministers adopted information on realisation of conclusions of the Council of Ministers of BIH from its 110^th session of this July, together with review of activities connected to realisation of urgent recommendations of the UN Committee for Rights of Disabled Persons, including a document titled Response of Bosnia and Herzegovina on implementation of the conclusive considerations by the Committee for Rights of Disabled Persons on the Initial report of Bosnia and Herzegovina paragraphs 11 and 29.

The Ministry for Human rights and refugees will, in cooperation with the Council of Disabled Persons, draft a monitoring programme for implementation of the Committee for rights of disabled Persons recommendations by 2020, and report it to the Governments of the Entities and Brčko District of BIH.

The programme will be used for collecting information and for reporting to the Committee on implementation of Convention on rights of disabled persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

MEETING OF SUB-COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ISSUES NAD STATISTICS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted information on holding of the third meeting of the Sub-Committee for Economic and financial Issue and Statistics, on November 15-16, 2018 in Mostar.

A discussion document was adopted and negotiating delegation designated for the meeting, and the Directorate for European Integrations will take all remaining prearrangement activities for holding of the meeting.

 

REGULATION ON QUALITY SYSTEMS FOR FOOD

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took, upon a proposal of the Food Security Agency of BIH, a Regulation on Quality Systems for food, harmonised with the relevant European standards. The aim is to secure conditions for a fair market competition with features of products with added value and to enable reliable information to consumers on such products.

Also, it should secure the respect of rights on intellectual property, in addition to securing the wholeness of internal market in the sense of informing the buyer and consumer on characteristics of making the products, e.g. geographic origin marks.

 

CONCLUSIONS IMPLEMENTATION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered the realisation of conclusions taken from January 1 to June 20, 2018.

In the reported period of time, 30 institutions realised 426 out of total 469 conclusions taken.

The Ministries and other institutions failing to implement the Council of Ministers of BIH conclusions fully, are obliged to fully implement them without delay, and for the conclusions the implementation of which requires longer period of time or cooperation with other institutions they should accelerate activities on their realisation.

The realisation of the Council of Ministers conclusions should be prioritised by all Ministries and other institutions in the future, which should contribute to effectiveness of operation of the Council of Ministers of BIH.

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