Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 106th Session

SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Loan Agreement (Sustainable Waste management Project) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Bank for reconstruction and Development, worth EUR 46 million.

The aim is to improve solid waste management service provision by increasing the recycling rate and aligning depos with modern standards, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely, in Goražde, Zenica, Sarajevo Canton, Mostar, Gradačac, Kalesija, Bosanska Krušpa, and Bihać.

The project is included into priorities of BIH and wider aims of the Western Balkans Green Programme, and it follows 2022-2032 Federal Environment Protection Strategy, in the process off accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union.

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

CONTINUATION OF IFAD AGRICULTIRAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Initiative and designated a negotiating delegation for conclusion of an Amendment to IFAD Financial Agreement – Rural Entreprises and Agriculture Development Project (READP) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

It is an additional EUR 5,520,000 loan for financing the Project of rural entrepreneurship and agriculture, as a continuation of the Rural Development and Rural Entreprises Project in Republika Srpska, initiated in 2021.

The Laon term is 20 years, with five-year grace period and allocation to Republika Srpska.- Unit for Coordination of Agricultural Projects under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.

Following negotiations completion, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will pass further a Draft Agreement with Platform for its conclusion, pursuant to the Law on Borrowing, Debt and Guarantees of BIH.

EU STADNARDS IN TRANSPORT AND TRADE

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Decision on ratification of an Additional Protocol to Convention on the Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) on electronic freight list, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A full implementation of the Additional Protocol to CMR Convention corresponds to requests by BIH transporters; it enables digitalisation of the existing (hart copy) transport documents and simplifies significantly relevant procedures, bringing BIH closer to EU standards.

The session defined a Proposal Decision on ratification of the Joint Committee of Central Europe Free Trade Agreement Decision No. 2/2024 on facilitation of electronic trade, adopted on Oct. 9, 2024.

The Decision defines rules on electronic trade between parties to CEFTA Agreement and sets of rules for securing trade facilitation for citizens.

A Proposal Decision was defined on ratification of the Additional Protocol 7 on dispute solution to the Agreement on Amendments and Accession to the Central European Free Trade Agreement.

The ratification of the Additional protocol, CEFTA signatories ensure a reliable mechanism for dispute solving, based on the World Trade Organisation system and European Union model.

This strengthens cooperation and enables further growth in trade between CEFTA countries in processes leading to joining the single EU market.

CoMBIH TAKES DECISION ON DEFINIGN LIST OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on defining a list of essential medicines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with corrections made at the session, for the aim of making them available throughout BIH and enabling basic health care of population.

The Decision was proposed by the Agency for Medicines and Medical Appliances Expert Committee, with previously collected consents from Entity Ministries of Health and the Brčko District Government Section for Health and Other Services.

Medicines from the list of essential medicines in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent minimum medicines prescribed and sold on account of mandatory health insurance and in hospital health care.

Producers and legal persons dealing with wholesale trade with medicines are obliged to have defined quantities of essential medicines, for the reason of their availability as good as possible.

MULTI-ANNUAL PROJECT IMPLEMENTED: ACCOMODATION OF DIPLOMATIC-CONSULAT OFFICE IN SKOPJE

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed decision to purchase a building for accommodation of diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.

It is about a facility of 540m2 valued at EUR 760,000 (KM 1,486,460.8) in the centre of Skopje, at 20 Oktomvri 15, where the BIH Embassy was located previously based on a lease agreement.

The facility, as the most favourable offer, meets all required criteria for a permanent accommodation of the diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Skopje, and the price was agreed, in accordance with the approved budget resources.

A piece of information by the Ministry of Affairs was adopted previously on procedures implemented and tasks accomplished by the Committee for purchase of facility for diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Skopje, with the best offer proposal.

Under the Council of Ministers of BIH 2024 decision, a multi-annual capital project was approved for purchase, adaptation and furbishing of the diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republic of North Macedonia – Skopje, of KM 1,500,000 total value.

EXTENDED WORK GROUP FOR ROAD TRANSPORT OF GOODS SOLUTION FINDING

The Council of Ministers of BIH extended composition of the Work Group tasked for urgent solution finding for issue of international road transport of goods, through coordination activities at both multilateral and bilateral levels, for the goal of reaching an adequate solution.

Members of the Work Group are the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH, Managers of the Directorate for European Integrations, Border Police, Indirect Taxation Administration, Chamber of Commerce of the Brčko District of BIH.

Earlier appointed members of the Work Group are the Ministers of Communications and Transport, Security and Foreign Affairs, with one more member from these institutions, in addition to members from the Foreign Trade Chamber of BIH, Consortium Logistics and Entity Chambers of Commerce.

Both the Work Group and Council of Ministers of BIH are active at both bilateral and multilateral levels in finding relevant solution.

ORGANISATION BOARD APPOINTED FOR BIH PARTICIPATION AT “EXPO 2027” IN BELGRADE

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-proposed decision, in new text, was taken, on establishment of an Organisation Board for participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at “EXPO 2027” Specialised Exhibition in Belgrade.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH Staša Košarac will chair the Organisation Board, and his alternates are his Deputy Minister Ljiljana Lovrić and the Ministry’s Secretary Hamdo Tinjak.

Other than Minister of Finance and Treasury Srđan Amidžić, members of the Orggnisation Board are representatives of the state Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Civil Affairs, BIH Ambassador in the Republic of Serbia, Deputy Federal Prime Minister, Entity Ministers and representatives from the Brčko District of BIH, as well as Manager of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of BIH and Presidents of Entity Chambers of Commerce.

The Organisation Board with precise assignments was formed for as high quality as possible preparation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation at “EXPO 2027”, and representatives from other institutions or organisations may join the Board, as appropriate.

US FLAG PROECETION AT BUILDING OF FRINDSHIP BETWEEN GREECE AND BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to the Embassy of the United States of America in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the projection of American flag at the façade of the Building of Friendship between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1-4 of July 2026, on the occasion of marking the 250th Anniversary of Independence.

This strengthens additionally bilateral relations and conforms permanent friendship of the United States of America and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EUR 56 MILLION TO POWER UTILITY OF BIH FOR WINDMILLS IN HNK

The Council of Ministers of BIH confirmed, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, that the allocation of the European Investment Bank loan to the Public Company Power Utility of Bosnia and Herzegovina, JSC. Sarajevo falls within a Framework Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Investment Bank.

The European Investment Bank will allocate the loan to the Public Company Power Utility of Bosnia and Herzegovina, JSC Sarajevo in amount of EUR 56,000,000 for financing of windmill development in Bitovnja in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.

The Public Company Power Utility of BIH, JSC Sarajevo, as a borrower, takes a full risk of the loan repayment and financing in relevant sector, and ensures to creditor all needed coverage and guarantees for the loan approval.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will report the conclusions to the European Investment Bank.

FUNCTIONAL CHANGE OF A MEMBER

Upon a proposal from the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH, a decision was taken on amendment of decision on appointment of ad hoc members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Negotiating Team for amicable solution of international investment disputes  upon request for amicable solution of investment dispute, which was requested by Banja Luka-based Goran Bubič Law Office, on behalf of five investors, two citizens of the Republic of Slovenia – Lenart Skok from Ljubljana and Blaž Banjac from Ljutomer – three citizens from the Republic of Serbia - Osman Ćelović from Priejpolje, Milutin Dobrilović from Belgrade and Adis Ćelović from Prijepolje.

Under the amendment, a functional change was made by one member from the Chief Attorney’s Office of Republika Srpska, thus enabling continuation of operation of this negotiating team of BIH, established for securing timely, coordinated and effective action by competent institutions in presentation and protection of interests of BIH in amicable solution of international investment disputes procedures.

CHANGE OF BIH LIAISON OFFICER WITH EUROPOL IN DEN HAAG

The session took a conclusion on discharge and sending of liaison officer of Bosnia and Herzegovina with EUROPOL in Den Haag, under which earlier appointed police officer with the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska Aleksandar Stjepanović is discharged and replaced by police officer from the same institution Igor Bogdanović.

The change of BIH liaison officer with EUROPOL in Den Haag took place after the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska informed the Ministry of Security of BIH that Stjepanović is not able to serve the office any longer, which he took on July 15, 2023 for four-year term., and proposed Bogdanović to serve the office in the rest of the term, by July 16, 2027.

The appointment of a liaison officer stemmed from an Agreement on Operative and Strategic Cooperation between BIH and Office of European Police, which set-up a new form of cooperation on the European road of BIH in combating organised crime, terrorism and other forms of international crime. (end)

Link for Photos:

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