Announcement
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Hercegovina Holds Its 143rd Session
05/24/2018
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Budget Execution Report of BIH Institutions and International Obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2017, which will be provided to the BIH Presidency and BIH Parliamentarian Assembly by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
According to the Report, the total revenues were higher for KM 26,246,752 than expenditures, which amounted to Km 948,145,821.
Total realised revenues, supports, receivables and finances available to the BIH Institutions last year were Km 1,029,683,128.
Earlier started austerity measures in the BIH Institutions were continued. The major savings were made in reimbursements to employees, which reached KM 110.9 million and were deceased for KM 5 million in relation to the year before.
The actual number of employees in 2017 was lesser for 415 in relation to 2016.
Foreign debt was regularly serviced, and the related total realised expenditures in 2017 were KM 983.36 million. Also, the BIH public debt was decreased for Km 744.59 million in relation to the end of 2016.
VERIFIED LAST SESSION’S CONCLUSIONS ON MIGRANT CRISIS
The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina verified, at today’s session, conclusions from its 142nd session on developments as to migration in BIH, in relation to an increased number of migrants in BIH.
- The migrant crisis is the problem of the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina and it is necessary to include all relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in its solution- finding.
- The Council of Ministers adopted Information with Proposal Action Plan of urgent measures with a focus at illegal migrants and border porousness, primarily with the Eastern neighbours of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Total funds, from both domestic and foreign sources needed for its implemented will be defined and presented subsequently.
- The Coordination Board for Migrations takes up, in compliance with tis competences the role of an Operative HQ for Migration Issues, and continues the realisation of all measures in order to fully implement the Urgent Measures Plan, which involves all-level authorities, organisations and institutions.
- An urgent police officers deployment to the Border Service will take place, according to the Law and international standards for the end of prevention of illegal entries into the country.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina was tasked to send a Note to Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia, urging them to stop their activities on retouring migrant waves towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, to coordinate their activities and to advise that Bosnia and Herzegovina will take all measures, in compliance with the existing laws, to reject and prevent illegal entries to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked to send a request to the Republic of Croatia and responsible European Union Institutions for an urgent meeting for the sake of better coordination and solution-finding as to migrant transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina were tasked to set-up urgent meetings with their colleagues from the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro and Republic of Serbia on the issue.
- Competent bodies of the BIH Institutions were tasked to cooperate with other competent bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina for putting into operation all available capacities for an adequate admission, accommodation and care for migrants, especially vulnerable groups, pursuant to the existing laws in Bosnia and Hercegovina and accepted international standards, and to organise, within 48 hours, a transfer and accommodation of migrants, currently unaccommodated adequately,
Today, at the 143rd session, the Ministry of Security was tasked to monitor the current migrant situation regularly and report it to the Council of Ministers of BIH.
The Directorate for European Integrations under the Council of Ministers of BIH was tasked to inform the competent European Union institutions of an increased migrant inflow to BIH, in the light of securing grant funds for implementation of the related urgent measures.
FOREIGN SECTOR MARKS LAST YEAR
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information by the Directorate for Economic Planning on trends of macroeconomic indices for year 2017, which was assessed as the year of foreign sector.
So, the economic growth in January-December 2017 was marked by 17.4 % increase of export of goods, which was markedly higher growth compared with 4.8 % in the year before. A generally higher level of economic activity in the country, coupled with a price effect, brought about a nominal increase of import of goods of 12,2 %, with a stagnation of goods deficit, compared with the year before.
In comparison with 2016, the last year was characterised by increase of industrial production, where export-oriented procession industry grew by 5.3 per cent rate, and five per cent growth was noted in production of coal, ores and stone in the BIH mines.
The employment grew in November for 3.7 per cent, in relation to the same period in the year before, which 2/3 of newly-employed come form processing industry. The number of registered unemployed persons in BIH in December 2017 was 475.1k, and is les for 6.9 per cent.
In 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina collected total KM 14.2 billion of public revenues, based on indirect taxes, contributions and other revenues, which secured an increase of about Km 973 in comparison to year 2016.
Total deposits in 2017 were KM 19.7 billion, and were higher in relation to the year before for KM 1.9 billion. The major portion accounts for citizen’s deposits – Km 11.3 billion – followed by non-financial companies’ deposits with KM .7 billion, general government deposits with KM 2.2 billion, and other deposits in amount of Km 1.5 billion.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM: STATE LEVEL SCORES BEST IN AIMS IMPLEMENTATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Annual Progress Report in implementation of a Revised Action Plan 1 (RAP1) under the 2017 Bosnia nad Herzegovina Public administration Reform Strategy, which suggests that total 72 per cent of aims were implemented, or four per cent more than in 2016.
The State level made the highest increase of RAP1 aims/activities realisation or six per cent, while the least increase was marked in Republika Srpska with three per cent.
According to the Report by the Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office, the major percentage of aims realisation of 78 per cent is made at the level of Republika Srpska, while the least percentage of aims fulfilment was made at the level the Brčko District of BIH, where 67 per cent of RAP1 aims was fulfilled.
The most of aims (81%) and highest prgress, seven per cent, viewed by reform areas, were made in public finances. Also e-government made an increase of aims fulfilment in 2017 - seven per cent – however, it still has the least RAP1 aims realisation, total 57 per cent.
EU STRENGTHENS BIH-MONTENEGRO CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement on funding the 2015-2017Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Activity Programme for 2017 between the European Union a, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of Montenegro.
The total estimated Programme costs are EUR 988,235, of which the Union contributes with EUR 840,000. The Programme term is 12 years, and the period of operative implementation is six years form its taking effect.
The Agreement is focused at promotion of cross-border employment and labour mobility, with social inclusion in the areas of culture, environmental protection, support to tourism and cultural and natural heritage.
Prospective beneficiaries of the funds are local authorities, development agencies, organisations supporting local entrepreneurship, SMEs, touristic and cultural associations, NGOs, public and private agencies supporting labour, institutions for professional and technical education, environment protection bodies and agencies, public agencies responsible for water management, fire brigades/emergency services, schools, colleges, universities and research centres.
The IPA II BIH – Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation 2014-2020 is a territorial cooperation programme, developed and implemented within the European Union enlargement policy.
The Programme area includes 56 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 municipalities in Montenegro. The beneficiary countries representatives took part in the Programme designing.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BIH will provide the Proposal Agreement with basics for initiating the procedure for its conclusion to the BIH Presidency, and the Director of the Directorate for European Integrations of the Council of Ministers of BIH was proposed for the BIH signatory.
BIH STUDENTS IN UKRAINE WILL BE FREED FROM PAYING FOREIGNER SCHOLARSHIP FEE
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Basics for negotiations on an Agreement between the council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on cooperation in education and science, which strengthens bilateral cooperation.
The conclusion of the Agreement creates conditions for students from BIH in Ukraine to be fred from paying of scholarship fee, paid by foreigners, and vice versa, and according to both countries’ legislation. In addition, students will have the right to accommodation in student accommodation facilities under the equal conditions enjoyed by domestic students and to monthly allowance, in compliance to the existing legislation. Also, a development of closer cooperation between high education and scientific institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine is being supported.
The Proposal Basics will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Civil Affairs was proposed for the BIH signatory.
BIH AND KUWAIT STRENGTHEN CRIME COMBATING COOPERATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined, with certain corrections made at the session, a Proposal Platform for negotiations and conclusion of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the State of Kuwait on cooperation in combating crime.
The two countries want to intensify their cooperation in fight against all forms of crime, terrorism especially, including trade with narcotics and human trafficking, money laundry, arms smuggling and all other forms of organised crime.
A working team of experts in fight against crime will be set-up for the purpose of the Agreement implementation.
The Proposal Basics will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Security was proposed as the BIH signatory.
PUBLIC CALL FOR NGOs
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on criteria for selection of one or more NGOs to be beneficiaries of KM 90,000 from the “Accommodation for foreigner human trafficking victims” current grant for 2018.
The funds will be allocated based on the public call, to be published in three daily papers and at the BIH Ministry of Security’s web site.
Non-government organisations, registered in accordance with the law and fulfilling the criteria specified under the Decision may apply to the public call.
TO ENABLE FASTER EXECUTION OF DOMESTIC AWARDS AND TO SHORTEN COURT PROCEDURES
The Council of Ministers of BIH notified Information of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees on procedures before the European Court for Human Rights, raising the issues of violation of right to just trial, referred to in Article 6 of the European Convention.
The Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Entity Ministries of Justice and competent bodies of the Brčko District of BIH, and in consultations with the Council of Ministers of BIH representative before the European Court for Human Rights and representative of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, will inquire into a possibility of introduction of an effective legal remedy into domesic legislation in case of a prolonged non-execution of domestic court awards and overly long court proceedings in civil cases, in accordance with standards and criteria form the European court practice.. This expert body should make a comprehensive analysis with a proposal measures and provided it to the council of Ministers of BIH. The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council should, within tis competences and in cooperation with the competent Entity bodies, take all needed measures for the strengthening of domestic judicial capacities, in order to secure the court proceedings take place in accordance with the binding standards from Article 6, paragraph 1 of the European Convention.
The Council of Ministers of BIH Secretariat-General will provide this information, accompanied by relevant conclusions to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BIH and Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to Information, the European Court last year communicated 63 application towards BIH, which initiate the issues of non-execution of verified court awards, lengthy court proceedings or infringement of right to a just procedure, according to Article 6 of the Convention. The total value of these application/claims is more than KM four million.
TALKS CONTINUE WITH RUSSIAN SIDE ON KULIN BAN CHARTER
The Council of Ministers of BIH required the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue talks, through the Ambassador of Bosnia and Hercegovina in the Russian Federation, with competent institutions of that country on a possibility of temporary exhibiting the original of Kulin Ban Charter in the General National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The event of the highest level would be of extraordinary importance for the promotion of cultural relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian Federation, and would enable citizens of BIH to learn about one of the most valuable cultural heritage item of our country.
This was concluded after the Council of Ministers learnt of Information by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on realisation of the Council of Ministers of BIH conclusion from its 112th session of August 30, 2017.
This would practically continue earlier started talks by BIH representatives with the Russian side to exhibit temporarily the original document of the Kulin Ban Charter, kept in the Library of the Russian Academy of Science. The Kulin Ban Charter was written 829 year ago, by the hand of the Bosnian ruler Kulin Ban and it is of invaluable importance for the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the first known diplomatic document issued by a Bosnian ruler to the other state ruler.
MORE USE OF EUROPEAN UNION TAIEX ASSISTANCE
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information on the use of the TAIEX instrument of assistance of the European Union to the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017.
According to the Directorate for European Integrations of the Council of Ministers of BIH, institutions form BIH collected 99 applications for use of the TAIEX assistance, which is a slight increase in relation of a year before, when 80 applications were received.
Among the applications, 42 were sent to organisation of a seminars in BIH, 28 for study visit, and 29 for experts visits to BIH.
The majority of applications, 78 were submitted by the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, four applications from the federation of BIH Institutions, six from Republika Srpska Institutions and 11 applications were sent jointly by the BIH Institutions, Entity Institutions, Brčko District of BIH, and Cantonal Institutions.
According to Information, 76 applications were approved, 21 was rejected and two applications are in the process of realisation. Under TAIEX call, 24 seminars were held, with participation of 125 civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina Institutions.
The Council of Ministers urged all institutions to use TAIEX instrument of assistance as much as possible, as per their respective needs.
BIH STRENGTHENS BORDER COOPERATION WITH REPUBLIC FO CROATIA
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a report by the Ministry of Security on implementation of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Croatia on cooperation in the state border monitoring in 2017.
The report suggests that 1,119 joint patrols were realised last year, namely 588 patrols on the territory of BUH, and 561 in the Republic of Croatia, which engaged total 3,347 police officers, specifically 1,641 from the BIH Border Police and 1,706 police officers from the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
Under a Decision of the Republic of Croatia Government on blocking road communications at the state border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatia authorities blocked additional 25 sites to motor vehicles in the territory of the Republic of Croatia , which were suitable for illegal crossing of the state border.
The orderly functioning of the Joint Contact Centre at the Nova Sela – Bijača border crossing, set-up in 2017, contributed significantly to higher quality exchange of information relevant for cross-border cooperation and for suppression of criminal activities across the state border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia.
The BIH Border Police continued implementation of activities, in compliance with the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Croatia in cooperation in state border monitoring.
CONSENT FOR VOTE BY CITIZENS OF SLOVENIA IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of foreign Affairs, granted tis consent to vote by citizens of the Republic of Slovenia in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion of early elections of deputies in the State Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. The balloting will be arranged in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Sarajevo, on June 3, 2018 in time between 9.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.
PARLIAMNETARIAN ASSEMBLY OF BIH RECEIVES PRIPOPSAL FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONCESSION COMMITTEE
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a proposal for appointment of members fo the Concession Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be provided to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH, responsible for appointments.
In compliance with the Law on Concessions of BIH, the Concession Committee of BIH will have appointed seven members, three each from the Federation of BIH and Republika Srpska and ne from the Brčko District of BIH.
The job vacancy committee for selection of seven members of the Committee for Concessions of Bosnia and Herzegovina provided a ranking list of successful candidates to the council of Ministers of BIH.
TO IMPROVE COORDNATION OF ASSSITANCE TO MINE VICTIMS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, proposed by the Ministry of civil Affairs, on establishment of a Coordination Body of Bosnia and Herzegovina for support to victims of mines, cassette ammunition and explosive devices, left after the war. The Coordination Body will include representatives from the competent State, Entity and Brčko District institutions, and NGO sector.
The aim is to improve coordination of activities for assistance to victims of mines, cassette ammunition and explosive devices left from the war, and to improve cooperation among responsible State, Entity and Brčko District institutions and NGO sector in BIH and international organisations.
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