Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 81 Extraordinary, Phone, Session

The Council of Ministers failed to take a decision on a temporarily closing of international border crossing Gradiška – Stara Gradiška, at its 81st extraordinary, phone, session, with four affirmative votes and two opposing.

Simultaneously, neither the Ministry of Security- proposed piece of information on the status of international border crossings operation Gradiška – Sara Gradiška and Gradiška – Novi Most was adopted.

The Chairwoman  of the Council of Ministers of BIH and Ministers of Justice and Civil Affairs and Deputy Minister of Security voted for the decision, and against were Deputy Chairmen of the Council of Ministers of BIH (Ministers of Defence and of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations), as well as Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Communications and Transport and of Human Rights and Refugees, while the Minister of Finance and Treasury opposed in the first round of vote.

The Ministry of Security of BIH proposed the item since the previous solution to the issue under which the international transport was temporarily enabled at the new site for transport of passengers and goods was valid until Aug. 18th, 2026. As the Ministry of Communications and Transport pointed out that there is not a legal ground for an extension of the solution, it proposed to the Council of Ministers of BIH to take the mentioned decision, in line with the Law on Border Control.

Under the proposed Decision, defined was a temporarily closing of the border crossing for international transport of passengers and goods Gradiška (BIH) – Stara Gradiška (Republic of Croatia) in territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina due to slides of a part of protective fence and stoppage of transport across the bridge on the Saa River.

A Contract was signed on a Border Crossing between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia, which effectiveness started on June 6th, 2026. Under the Contract, a newly constructed border crossing Gadiška Novi Most – Gornji Varoš got a status of an international border crossing with all inspection services, with mutual obligation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and  the Republic of Croatia for setting-up of police and inspection posts.

The Council of Ministers of BIH expects BIH competent institutions to take their relevant activities to prevent detrimental consequences to passengers and economy and secure smooth international transport between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia.(end)