Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 159th Session

TO REQUIRE CUSTOMS ANNULMENT FOR GOODS FORM BOSNIA AND HEZREGOVINA 

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered Information on imposition of customs to products from BIH imported to Kosovo, and required an urgent rescinding of levies to goods from BIH, as it is contrary to the CEFTA Agreement.

It was also concluded that the European Union should get urgently involved in solving the issue, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not consider possibility of imposition of counter measures at present.

Two day ago the Government of Kosovo* took a decision on imposition of customs of 100 per cent to goods from BIH and Serbia, however Bosnia and Herzegovina was not officially informed of that, but the decision was posted on web-site of the competent Kosovo Ministry.

(* This title does not prejudice the status of Kosovo, and it is in accordance with UNSC resolution 1244.)

 

IMPROVEMENT OF COMBAT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CRIME AND TERRORISM

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Basics for conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Internal Security of the United States of America on cooperation concerning the use of travel information.

The Agreement will promote the cooperation in the area of fight against transnational crime, transnational criminal networks and activities, international terrorism and potential treats to national security. The Agreement provides for a technical assistance in setting-up Advance Passenger Information (API) system, which enables border check bodies data on passengers before their arrival to international airports, so that border officers could perform their jobs with higher quality and effectiveness, and will shorter keeping passengers at borders.

The Ministry of Security of BIH will send the Proposal Basics to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Security of BH to be the BIH signatory.

 

REPEAT OF IMPORT QUOTAS FOR PURCHASE OF RAW MATERIALS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on repeating quantities of tariff quotas in 1018, which refer to import of raw sugar made of sugar cane for refining.

The Council of Ministers accommodated requests by domestic producers, in compliance with the law on Customs Tariffs, because the quantities of tariff quotas for these raw materials, according to BIH Indirect Taxation Administration were used at the level of 50%, by mid-September data. All listed goods within import quotas is subject to strict supervision of end use.

 

DEFINED ANNUAL QUOTA FOR FOREGINERS’ EMPLOYMENT FOR 2019

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision on defining the annual quota of work permits for foreigners in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2019. This decision would help meet better the needs of the labour market in Bosnia and Herzegovina, simultaneously not endangering domestic labour supply. It also provides for better labour market control and decrease of unregistered work.

The total annual quota of work permits for extension and new employment of foreigners in our country in 2019 is 1,570 work permits, of which 880 in the Federation of BIH, 600 in RS, and 90 in the Brčko District of BIH. Haring regard of the situation at the BIH labour market, no quotas for sessional employment will be set for 2019.

The number of work permits to be issued for the extension of already issued work permits is 975, in the Federation of BIH 535, in RS 400 and in the Brčko District of BIH 40.

 

INFORMATION ON MIGRATIONS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information ion situation in the area of migrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning an increased inflow of migrants to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The session concluded that the Ministry of Security should provide a detailed information on realisation of the Action Plan of urgent measures, supplied with a report on spending of donor funds, and prepare to the Council of Ministers a decision on granting the status of accommodation centres to facilities where migrants have been already accommodated, and to register migrant parentless children.

The ministry of Security information indicates that in 2018 Bsoniaa dn Hezregoina was faced with a considerable increase of illegal migrations through its territory, and that in time between November 9 and November 19, 2018, the BIH Foreigners’ Affairs Service got registered 703 illegal migrants. An intention to apply for asylum in BHI was declared by 661 individual, and no has applied for it yet.

According to available data, from January 1, 2018 to November 19, 2018, the foreigner’s Affairs Service got registered 22.411 illegal migrants, and the intention to apply for asylum was stated by 21,158 of them, and 1,316 individuals applied for it.

The major number of migrants come from Pakistan (7.428), Ran (3.519), Syria (2.768), Afghanistan (2.687), Iraq (2.043), and Libya (780).

The Ministry of Security, in cooperation with competent institutions, drafted and Action Plan of urgent measures to be taken with a focus at illegal migrants and permeability of border, notably with the Eastern neighbours of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Action Plan was adopted at the 142^nd session of the Council of Ministers, of May 15,2018.

The Action Plan of urgent measures contains five priorities, 17 measures and 73 activities.

The ministry fo Security, in cooperation with competent institutions and agencies takes activities in accordance with the Action Plan of urgent measures and conclusions of the council fo Ministers of BIH.

Data from the State Investigation and Protection Agency, Directorate for Cooperation of Police Bodies in BIH, and Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska continue to provide backing to the BIH Border Police in border surveillance.

 

DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ADOPTED FOR EU-BIH SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

The Council of Ministers considered ad adopted Information on holding the third meeting of the EU – BIH Sub-Committee for Transport, Energy, Natural Environment and Regional Development, to be held on December 13, 2018 in Brussels.

In that regard a discussion document was adopted and the BIH delegation team designated. The directorate for European Integrations is tasked, together with other BIH competent institutions, to take all remaining rearrangement action for the holding of the third EU-BIH Sub-Committee for Transport, Energy, Natural Environment and regional development.

 

ACTIVITY PLAN FOR DRAFTING BIH ECONOMIC REFORMS PROGRAMME

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Activity Plan under the 2019-2021 BIH Economic Reforms Programme (ERP).

The economic reforms Programme is a refined version of Economic and Fiscal Programmes (EFP), submitted by the EU potential candidate countries. BIH is ahead of drafting 2019-2021 Economic reforms Programme, containing mid-term macro-economic framework and fiscal framework, in addition to fiscal measure, and including a comprehensive structural reforms framework for the aim of improvement of country’s growth and competitiveness. The ERP should be provided to the European Commission by the end January 2019.

The Directorate for Economic Planning, as coordinator for the BIH Economic Reforms Programme 2019-2021 at the BIH level, has responsibility to implement the Action Plan and prepare the document, in cooperation with the Entity coordinators.

 

CoM BIH 2019-2021 MID-TERM WORK PROGRAME ADOPTED

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a 2019-2021 Mid-Term Work Programme of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a correction in a part pertaining to justice sector measures implementation.

The Mid-Term Work Programme of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina convers a breakdown of  mid-term aims with monitoring indicators, the realisation of which by 56 institutions reporting to the Council of Ministers of BIH would contribute to achieving general and strategic aims identified in a “Strategic Framework for BIH” document. The document was made, based on entry data provided by responsible institutions, which programmes, annual monitoring indicators, and total expenditures estimate classified by sources of financing for the next three-year period were presented in the Council of Ministers of BIH Mid-Term Work Programme Action Plan Annex 1. The Annex 2 gives a review of laws and regulations and development-investment projects, while Annex 3 shows total financial needs and sources of financing for the realisation of planned mid-term aims.

The general development principles are connected to the Europe 2020 Strategy and South-East Europe 2020 Strategy through development principles, as follows: integrated, smart, sustainable, inclusive growth and growth-oriented governance principle. The strategic development aims include the following: the macro-economic stability, development of competitive economic environment, human resources development, increase of industrial competitiveness, promotion of culture and creative sectors, even regional development, improved environmental management, faster agricultural development and rural development, energy capacities development, with focus at renewable sources of enegy and energy efficacy, increase of possibilities for employment, promotion of inclusivity in education, decrease of poverty, improvement of health care and acceleration of the transition process.

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