Press Releases
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 141stSession
05/06/2018
Vijeće ministara Bosne i Hercegovine
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, took a decision to set-up a Committee for facilitation of trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the Western Balkans Action Plan, within the Reform Agenda implementation.
By the decision, the Council of Ministers of BIH implements one of its obligations from the reform measures list needed to be implemented by the EU – Western Balkans Summit, scheduled for May 17 in Sofia.
The Committee will act as a cross-section body comprised of representatives from the BIH, Entity and Brčko District institutions involved in implementation of the customs and other border-crossing procedures, as well as of representatives from business community in our country. The Council of Ministers of BIH will appoint members of the Committee, to be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, while the Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration will be the Deputy.
The Committee aims will be the simplification and harmonisation of customs and other border crossing-related regulations, in accordance with international standards set forth under the World Trade Organisation Agreement on trade facilitation and other international trade obligations of BIH.
The establishment of the Committee stems from the Trade Facilitation Additional Protocol 5, accompanying the CEFTA 2006.
EU FUNDS 2017 BIH STATE PROGRAMME WITH EUR 60.3 MILLION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement on Financing Bosnia and Herzegovina 2017Activity Programme between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, each represented by the European Commission and Directorate for European Integrations under the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, worth EUR 60.3 million.
The proposal Agreement is for operational realisation of an earlier signed Framework Agreement on arrangements for implementation of the European Union financial support to Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II), which took effect in End August 2015.
The Programme will be fully financed by the European Union, to be directed to strengthening of democracy and governance (EUR 10.8 million), rule of law and fundamental rights (EUR 29.5 million), and transport sector (EUR 20 million). It will be focused practically to the sectors featuring both harmonised strategies throughout the state and sufficient sector coordination.
The term of the Agreement is 12 years from the taking effect, while tis operational realisation will last six years.
The Pproposal Agreement with Platform for its conclusion will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Director of the Directorate for European Integrations was proposed for the BIH signatory.
BIH PUBLIC DEBT DECREASED LAST YEAR FOR KM 744.59 MILLION
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury on public indebtedness as at December 31, 2017, which indicates that the public debt was decreased for KM 744. 59 million or for more than six per cent in relation to the end 2016. The foreign debt was decreased for KM 695.6 million, while the internal debt was decreased for KM 48.99 million.
The public indebtedness as at Dec. 31, 2017 was KM 11.3 billion, of which the foreign debt was KM 7.8 billion and internal debt was KM 3.5 billion.
In total public indebtedness, the share of the Federation of BIH is 52.28 per cent, Republika Srpska 46.71 per cent and the Brčko District 0.36 per cent, while the BIH Institutions’ share is 0.65 per cent.
As to total foreign indebtedness based on new loans, 60.67 per cent relates to the infrastructure projects loans, 24.35 per cent to economic operations loans, and 14.98 per cent relates to the public sector loans.
Viewing the debt structure by creditors, the major participation is by the World Bank – IDA and IBRD - with 32.64 per cent, European Investment Bank with 24.32 per cent, Paris Club of Creditors with 8.51 per cent, International Monetary Fund with 7.53 per cent, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with 6.87 per cent, and European Commission with 2.79 per cent, which is altogether 82.66 per cent of total foreign debt.
The BIH foreign debt service in 2017 amounted to KM 995.28 million, of which KM 873.54 million or 87.7 per cent went to the principal repayment, and KM 121.74 million or 12.23 per cent to the interest payment.
The internal indebtedness of BIH as at December 31, 2017 was around KM 35 billion. In total volume of the internal indebtedness, the Federation of BIH participates with 32.8 per cent, Republika Srpska with 67.1 per cent, and the Brčko District with 0.1 per cent, while the state level of BIH had not internal debt liabilities by the end of the last year. The internal debt include obligations related to old foreign currency savings, war claims, general and issued bonds obligations, loans in-country and obligations based on tax refunds and activated guarantees.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will provide Information to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly.
BIH JOINT OPERATIVE BODY FOR UNA REGION APPOINTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, proposed by the Ministry of Communications and transport, to appoint Bosnia and Herzegovina’s members to a Joint Operative Body to carry out, together with representatives from the Republic of Croatia, a detailed analysis of the situation and to elaborate a proposal for reconstruction, modernisation, and putting into operation of the Una Railway track.
Representatives from the State and Entity Ministries responsible for transport and from Entity Railways and the BIH Public Railway Corporation are appointed into the Joint Body.
FR GERMANY GOVERNMENT SUPPPORTS DEVELOPEMNT PROGRAMMES IN BIH WITH EUR SIX MILLION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Note Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on technical cooperation for year 2015, worth EUR six million.
This way, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, based on earlier signed Agreement on Technical Cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, provides EUR four million to finance the Support for Renewable Sources of Energy Project, including EUR two million for the Local Governance and Support to Local Economy.Project.
These projects, which contribute to social and economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be implemented by the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The Proposal Note Agreement will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations was proposed for the BIH signatory.
INITIATIVE FOR PREPAREDENSS AND CATASTROPHE PREVENTION SECRETARIAT SEAT IN SARAJEVO
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Governments of other member-countries to the Initiative for Preparedness and Catastrophe Prevention in the South-East Europe on arrangements of the host-country for the SEE Initiative for Preparedness and Catastrophe Prevention Secretariat, which will strengthen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field.
The Agreement aims to provide the Sarajevo-based Secretariat an effective execution of operative jobs and responsibilities.
The main aims of the initiative should contribute to building of institutional capacities for catastrophe management in order to strengthen preventive measures in the countries of region. The Initiative should serve, among other things, as a regional network for prevention facilitations and preparedness for natural and man-made catastrophes.
The Proposal Agreement will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Security will be the BIH signatory.
EUR 1 MILLION EU GRANT FOR ZENICA HOSPITAL HEATING SOLUTION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Grant Contract (Zenica Hospital Energy Efficacy Improvement Project) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), relating to an investment grant under the regional WB Energy Efficacy Programme.
It is an EBRD grant worth EUR one million, secured via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) from the Regional Programme Fund for Energy Efficacy in the Western Balkans (REEP Plus).
The Project, securing the heating the Zenica Hospital, energy saving and decrease of pollution, will be financed by the EBRD loan worth EUR 10 million with 15-year term and three-year grace period, with BIH guarantee.
The project sets forth building one more floor and one more facility, which will increase hospital capacities and secure better accommodation for patients.
The Proposal Grant Contract will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further Procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury was proposed for the BIH signatory.
KM TWO MILLION GRANT FOR ROMA IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, proposed by het Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, on allocation and criteria for distribution of a KM two million worth grant for solving the issues of the Roma population in employment, health care and housing in 2018.
Planned was KM one million for housing of the Roma, of which KM 625,000.00 for the housing in the Federation of BIH, KM 313,400.00 in Republika Srpska, and KM 60,000.00 in the Brčko District.
The funds will be directed to local communities via a public call for collection of project proposals for solving the housing issue of the Roma.
For the employment purposes, planned was KM 650,000.00, of which KM 407,290.00 in the Federation of BIH, KM 203,710.00 in Republika Srpksa, and KM 39,000.00 in the Brčko District, based on public calls issued by responsible institutes.
As to the health care of the Roma, KM 350,000.00 was planned, and the funds will be realised in cooperation with the Entity and Brčko District health care institutes, specifically, KM 219,000.00in the Federation of BIH, KM 109,000.00in Republika Srpska, and KM 21,000.00in the Brčko District. The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH will conclude memoranda with health care institutes which will set forth the manner of realisation of the said funds.
CoM HELPS VISIT BY 863 PUPILS
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Security of BIH, took a decision allowing an organised arrival and stay in BIH, under special conditions, of citizens of the Republic of Serbia – pupils of elementary schools from Kosovo, in time period from June 16 to June 23, 2018.
This way, the Council of Ministers of BIH responded to an application by the Republika Srpska Government and Banja Luka-based “Kosovo and Metohija Support Board” Humanitarian Organisation for for support in realisation of arrival of 863 pupils to the local communities in BIH.
It is about a group of pupils without valid travel documents, aged 10-15 years, who are not in financial possibility to get the Republic of Serbia passports, and they will visit Banja Luka, Novi Grad, Višegrad, Gradiška, Petrovo, Han Pijesak, Derventa, Prijedor, Šamac, East Novo Sarajevo, Trebijne, Brod, Pale, Doboj, Bijeljina, Prnjavor, and Modriča.
IMPROVING PUBLIC INVESTMETNS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Council of Ministers of BIH, took, accepting some technical suggestions, a decision on way and criteria for preparation, development and monitoring of realisation of public investments/development-investment programme of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, for further improvement of public investments management and the processes harmonisation with the Entities.
The decision was taken in accordance with the Public Finance Management Reform Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2017-2020.
All BIH Institutions budget users publish their planning and project candidacy on-line via appropriate digital form.
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, adopts a Public Investments/Development- Investment Programme, with a view at having better use of budget funds, better access to foreign sources of funding and coordination of development resources.
US GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO CAPACITY BUILDING FOR BENEFIT OF BIH CITIZENS
The Council of Ministers adopted a Report on Realisation of the Grant funds for development purposes, concluded between the Government of the United States of America and Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and on spending of the grant funds for January-December 2017.
The Agreement, under which the US Government secured, via USAID, a USD 1, 740,000,.00 grant, targets the functioning and more accountable institutions and other stake-holders, working in the interest of citizens. Out of the sum, USD 750,000.00 was intended for the capacity-building of the Gender Equality Agency under the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH.
The Gender Equality Agency of BIH started implementing a “Capacity Building of Institutions responsible for dealing with Gender-Based violence in BIH”, to contribute, among other things, to capacity development for higher quality protection and prevention of gender-based violence. The project calls for strengthening of cooperation with NGO sector within which a grant programme will be implemented for NGOs active in protection and assistance to violence against women and family violence victims. The proposed project life span is 31 months.
BIH WILL MARK 55 HUJMAN RIGHTS-RELATED EVENTS THIS YEAR
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Programme of marking important dates from the human rights area in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018, proposed by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.
The Programme consists of 55 events related to human rights area, which the competent BIH Institutions, in cooperation with the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, will mark appropriately and in accordance with the planned budget.
IMPLEMENTATION OF CoM CONCLUSIONS
BIH Ministries, Institutions and Bodies of the Council of Ministers of BIH realised 657 out of total 765 conclusions adopted, while 108 conclusions are in the process of realisation, reads a Review of realisation of conclusions by the Council of Ministers of BIH Secretariat-General adopted in January 1- December 31, 2017 time span, which was considered at the session. The review covered total 39 institutions.
The Council of Ministers of BIH Secretariat-General will sent an urgency note to Ministries and other institutions not fully realising the Council of Ministers conclusions, requiring a full implementation without delay and accelerated implementation of the conclusions which require longer time or cooperation with other institutions for their realisation.
It was concluded that the Council of Ministers conclusions implementation should be prioritised.
DEFINED OPINION ON LAW ON PREVENTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Council of Ministers of BH confirmed an Opinion on Proposal Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by eight BIH Parliamentarian Assembly House of Representatives deputies.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the adoption of the Law should be viewed in the light of GRECO recommendations, and in regard to that a conflict of interest decision-making Committee should be operatively self-sufficient and independent. The Proposal Law defines that the Committee is to be founded by the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH, which should provide for funding thereof from its budget. The Opinion also suggests that the legal status of the Committee and its office should be specified and its establishment harmonised with the Law on Administration, so that a full capacity functioning might be ensured.
MENAGERS OF BIH POLICE BODIES APPOINTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Zoran Galić for Director and Fahrudin Halač for Deputy Director the BIH Border Police. Mirsad Vilić was appointed Director of the Directorate for BIH Police Bodies Coordination, and Ivica Bošnjak and Ranko Vuković for his Deputies. Đuro Knežević was appointed for Deputy Director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency.
These appointments were made after the Council of Ministers took note of top list of successful candidates for selection of Directors and Deputy Directors of Police Bodies, proposed by an Independent Board, as an independent body of the police structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the conclusion a job vacancy procedure.
Upon a proposal of the Independent Board of the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly, the session accepted a request by Uroš Pena for release form his duty of Deputy Director of the Directorate for Police Bodies Coordination for the reason of his retirement.
EBRD BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ ANNUAL MEETING IN SARAJEVO IN 2019
The 2019 Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Board of Governors will be held in Sarajevo in May 2019, reads Information by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on planned and implemented activities concerning the meeting, adopted by the Council of Ministers of BIH.
Hosting of the Conference was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, and other then EBRD Governors, the conference will gather, a number of businessmen.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will prepare and provide to the next session, a proposal decision on appointment of an activities coordinator and cross-section group for monitoring and coordination of the EBRD Board of Governors Annual Meeting in Sarajevo.
ACTIVITES LAUNCHED FOR 3RD MEETING OF EU-BIH STABILISATION AND ACCESSION COUNCIL
The Council of Ministers adopted, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Information by the Permanent Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the EU-BIH Stabilisation and Accession Council concerning the third meeting of the EU-BIH Stabilisation and Accession Council.
Several conclusions were adopted for the purpose of preparations for the third EU-BIH Stabilisation and Accession Council meeting.
ON-GOING ACTIVITIES FOR SOFIA SUMMIT
The Council of Ministers took note of a report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH from coordination meetings ahead of the EU – Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, at which BIH representatives participated.
The report highlights the importance of Sofia Summit, which would be dedicated to region’s European perspective, and also to strengthening of links between peoples within the Western Balkans region through implementation of the Connectivity Agenda projects and measures.
The BIH competent institutions continue already started activities for implementation of more than 20 priority measures, which would help realise the expected progress by the time of the Sofia Summit.
The Summit is of a great importance for BIH and the region, primarily for the reason that previous such summit was held 15 years ago.
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