Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Hodsl Its 104th Session

800K SECURED FOR BIH CITIZENS’ EVACUATION FROM MIDDLE EAST TREATENED AREAS 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took unanimously a decision to approve KM 800,000 from current reserves of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations Budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for evacuation of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina from threatened areas in the Middle East for the aim to protect their lives.

The funds are intended for an urgent arrangement of transport of BIH citizens, currently staying in the Middle East countries, based on available records of the BIH Diplomatic-Consular network. 

IPA III: EU SECURED EUR 1490.5 MILLION FOR REFORMS FINANCING IN BIH 

The session defined a Proposal Agreement on Financing 2025-2027 Multi-Annual Actions for Bosnia and Herzegovina between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate for European Integrations, worth EUR 140.500.000.

The Agreement will be fully financed by the European Union within the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III).

By concrete financial support to reforms, the EU shown its commitment for progressing of Bosnia and Herzegovina along the European road.

The Agreement term is 12 years, and the operative term is six years form the dare of conclusion thereof.

The Proposal Agreement with Platform for its conclusion will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Director of the Directorate for European Integrations to act as the BIH singer thereof. 

WORK GROUP TO BE FORMED FOR SOLUTION-FINDING IN ROAD TRANSPORT SECTOR 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of communication by the Consortium Logistics concerning requirements for solving the issues faced by international road goods transport sector due to restrictive measures of stay in the European Union.

The Council of Ministers proposed members of the Work Group to coordinate activities at both multilateral and bilateral levels for the aim of reaching relevant solution.

Ministers of Communication and Transport, of Security, and of Foreign Affairs are proposed into the Work Group, in addition to one more member from each of the Ministries.

The Council of Ministers of BIH required the Foreign Trade Chamber of BIH, Consortium Logistics and Entity Chambers of Commerce to propose their members as soon as possible, so that the Work Group would be formed as soon as possible.

The Council of Ministers of BIH reiterated the importance of coordinated and single approach by the Western Balkan Governments (WB6) towards the European Union institutions for a systematic and sustainable solution of a problem of auto-transporters from the region towards the European Union caused due to application of a Directorate (EU) 2016/399, which sets forth 90-day stay within 180 days rule. The issue was considered at both the Growth Plan and  Berlin Process sessions, however without solution reached despite intensive efforts by BIH institutions. 

IMPROVED TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY AND ROAD NETWORK MANAGEMENT IN FEDEREATION OF BIH 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Loan Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for Improvement and Management of Road Assets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of investment programme for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of main roads in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Project aims an advancement of transport connectivity and strengthening of road network management in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The EUR 70,000,000 loan will be allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Public Company Roads of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 22 year-term including 12-year grace period.

The Proposal Agreement with Platform for its conclusion will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further decision-making procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH as the BIH signatory. 

BIH AND EGYPT BOOS TEHIR DEFENCE COOPERATION 

The session defined a Proposal Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, which strengthens bilateral cooperation.

The Agreement sets and arranges cooperation in defence, including exchange of views and expertise in defence and security policies, military aviation, education and training, logistic support, peace-keeping operations cooperation, crisis management, and military topography and cartography.

The Proposal Agreement will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Defence to act as the BIH signatory thereof. 

BIH CUSTOMS REGUALTIONS TO BE HARMONISED WITH EU ACQUIS FOR US ALMONDS IMPORT 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to approve pre-export inspection of almonds, which the United States of America use to take before export, for checking the presence of aflatoxins, along with “EI” mark, as a conformation of certain harmonisation of relevant rules applied in the European Union.

Practically, it means that almonds controls recognised by the EU, implemented in the USA before dispatching to the European Union, would be recognised in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would decrease number of inspections, in line with the EU recommendations and would facilitate operations to BIH food operators and the import to BIH. 

HARMONISATION OF BIH CUSTOMS REGUALTIONS WITH EU ACQUIS 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina took the Indirect Taxation Administration-proposed decision on amendments and supplements to Decision on implementation of Law on Customs Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina with “EI” mark, confirming harmonisation with relevant EU regulations.

The Amendments and Supplements to the Decision focus at its harmonisation with EU customs regulations taken in 2022-2025, including technical up-grading and further development of currently applicable new electronic transit system (Computerised Transit System - NCTS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This is to improve the import procedure and NCTS application in BIH, which will contribute to realisation of the key aim – accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to convention on joint transit (CTC), including simplification of formalities in trade of goods (USA/JCI). 

PIECE OF INFORAMTION ON CONCLUSION OF AGREEMENT WITH EC UNDER REFORMS AND GROWTH FACILITY 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-tabled piece of information on conclusion of an Agreement for Reforms and Growth Facility with the European Commission.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury should take care of a comprehensive implementation of relevant legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of continued preparation and harmonisation of international agreements with the European Commission, concerning the Reform and Growth Facility,

Minister of Finance and Treasury Srđan Amidžić should sign a request for prefinancing within the Reforms and Growth Facility, which will be passed by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to the European Commission for finalisation of the Agreement on Reforms and Growth, as a prerequisite for signing of the Laon Agreement.

The pre-financing in amount of seven per cent of total allocated funds for BIH – about EUR 68 million – will be paid to Bosnia and Herzegovina after taking effect of both the Facility Agreement and Loan Agreement.

Pursuant to a defined procedure, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be opened doors for withdrawal of total EUR 976.591.173,59 from the Reforms and Growth Facility, of which EUR 280,269,481.25 will be non-refundable (grant) funds paid to the Western Balkans Joint Fund by the European Commission, after signing an Agreement on contribution with the Fund administrators (EBRD and EIB). The funds are intended for financing investment projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The total loan finds are EUR 696.321,692.55 and will be successively paid semi-annually for benefit of Bosnia and Herzegovina, depending on the level successfulness of the Reforms Agenda implementation. 

PIECE OF INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES TAKEN FOR REFORMS AGENDA IMPELEMTNATION 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note a piece of information from the Directorate for Economic Planning, in a new text, on developing proposal decision on establishment of an institutional framework for implementation of the Reforms Agenda in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with a proposal decision on implementation of the Reforms and Growth Facility in BIH and on Reforms Agenda implementation reporting.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Directorate for European Integrations, and Directorate for Economic Planning should cooperate with all-level authorities on harmonisation of the text proposal decision and collection of feed-up from competent institutions.

Upon the finalisation of the harmonisation procedure, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will send the final proposal decision to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for consideration and decision taking within 20 days from the day of this conclusion.

The aim is to secure timely establishment of institutional framework for the BIH Reform Agenda implementation.

According to the piece of information, the Directorate for Economic Planning has technically prepared the proposal decision which sets forth implementation of the Reform and Growth Facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina and reporting on the Reforms Agenda of Bosnia and Herzegovina, harmonised with valid legal framework and collected inputs from all included in the process. However, additional consultations are needed with other authority levels for striking a final institutional agreement.

Under the proposed decision, regulated are especially the following: competent bodies and their roles in implementation of the Reform and Growth Facility; documents and deadlines relevant for implementation of the Reform Agenda; coordination among bodies included; reforms implementation monitoring and reporting; preventive measures; detection; reporting and removal of irregularities in the implementation process. 

ACTIVITIES FOR PREPARATION OF SCHENGEN ACTION PLAN OF BIH 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Directorate for European Integrations on development of the Schengen Action Plan of BIH.

The Ministry of Security should, in cooperation with the Directorate for European Integrations, send a piece of information to competent institutions in BIH for setting-up a Work Group to develop a Schengen Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SAP BIH).

This is a launch of activities for establishment of an overall state system of Schengen management, after the European Commission committed to provide structured and consistent assistance to candidate countries in early phases of accession.

The development and implementation of SAP BIH require identification and realisation of relevant legal, institutional and operative measures in all key policies in connection to Schengen, it implies engagement of many competent institutions, which requires clear definition.

By establishment of the system and taking the Schengen Action Plan, Bosnia and Herzegovina fulfils one among obligations on the European road from Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security. 

RATIFICATION OF CoE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON ARTICIAL INTELLIGENCE 

The session defined a proposal decision on ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Huan Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, which will be passed to the BIH Presidency by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a further procedure.

By acceding to the Convention, Bosnia and Herzegovina confirms its commitment to development and application od technologies of artificial intelligence in a manner fully harmonised with human rights, rule of law and democratic values, and it joins the states actively working on development of secure, transparent and ethic digital framework for future. 

COUNCIL OF MINSITERS AND GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA COOPERATE IN STATE BODER MONITORING 

The Ministry of Security-tabled Implementation Report of Agreement on Cooperation in State Border Monitoring between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Croatia was adopted.

Pursuant to the belonging protocol, 992 joint patrols were made in the course of 2025 by the two countries, totally engaging 2,642 police officers.

Total 321 working meeting were held over the reported time at which joint plans were developed for implementation of joint patrols and analysis made of patrols implemented along the joint border.

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked Bosnia and Herzegovina representatives appointed to Joint Coordination Body for monitoring of the Agreement implementation to continue activities and initiate the Body meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia. 

ACTIVITIES ON-GOING ON SETTING-UP TRAVELLERS’ DATA EXCHANGE SYSTEM 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled report on Activities of the Cross-Agency Work Group for continuation of coordination activities for implementation of data exchange on travellers.

The Work Group was formed as per the Council of Ministers of BIH Dec. 2024 decision, setting a task to coordinate activities and propose solutions for implementation of an advance travellers’ data provision system and for record of travellers’ names (API/PNR), in line with obligations of BIH on the European road in the process of border security strengthening.

The Report suggests that taking effect of the new Law on Border Control sets legal grounds for implementation of the API system in BIH. In that context, the Border Police of BIH develops relevant by-law and considers the best modalities for technical establishment of the API system in the Border Police of BIH, which will provide harmonisation of the action with the Law on Personal Data Protection and relevant standards.

As to establishment of the PNR system, the Work Group analysed relevant legal acts covering international and domestic legislation, directives, acts and other by-laws, and will continue developing needed legal solutions. 

ANTI MLFT ACTION PLAN IMPLEMETNATION IN BIH 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a report by institutions on 2022-2024 Anti Money Loundering and Financing Terrorism Action Plan Implementation for Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024.

According to the report, out of total planned 62 activities, 54 were realised either fully or partially, five are in the process of implementation, while implementation has not started for three activities. The activities implementation was monitored by sub-groups tasked for threat assessment and vulnerability estimate, which includes both financial and non-financial sector, with financing terrorism risk assessment.

The report was drafted by the Ministry of Security, based on reports from institutions in BIH responsible for the Action Plan implementation. 

ADOPTED “2024 DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ ACTIVITY REVIEW” REPORT 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a report “Review of development partners’ activities in 2024”, which will be posted at both the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Development Partners Coordination Forum (DFC) in BIH web sites within seven days.

The document offers an comprehensive review of projects and programmes supported through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) by DFC, pieces of information on activities implemented in priority sectors in BIH in 2024, as well as planned activities by development partners.

Total disbursed official development assistance for BIH in 2024 was EUR 794.33 million, of which EUR 274.42 million (34.5%) referred to grant funds, while loans amounted to EUR 519.91 million (65.5%). The disbursed ODA funds are higher for EUR 132.17 million (20%) in 2024, relevant to a year before.

The official development assistance was directed fortrhe following priority sectors in BIH: Democracy and Governance; Rule of Law  and Basic Rights; Environment and Climate Change; Traffic; Energy, Competitiveness and Innovations; Education; Employment and Welfare Policy; Agriculture and Rural Development; Regional and Territorial Cooperation; and Mutually Connected Sectors.

An effective utilisation of ODA funds and establishment of mutual partner relationship is of a crucial importance for success of reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as was highlighted in conclusions of the Council of Ministers of BIH from today’s session. (end)

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