Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 85th Session

BIH COMMITTEE FOR WATER UTILITY COOPERATION WITH CROATIA APPOINTED 

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on appointment of members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee for water utility cooperation with the Republic of Croatia, thus improving bilateral relations between the two states.

The decision will be published in the “Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

BIH ACCEEDS CONVENTION ON PROTECTION OF LAWYERS’ PROFESSION

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined the Ministry of Justice of BIH-tabled Proposal Platform for Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Lawyers’ Profession and will send it to the BiH Presidency for further adoption procedure, all upon an initiative of the Republika Srpska and Federation of BIH Lawyers Chambers.

The accession to the Convention for Protection of Lawyers’ Profession yields multiply benefits for Bosnia and Herzegovina, it boosts legal security, improves international standing, protects basic human rights, and increases the level of personal accountability.

AIR NAVIGATION SAETY: eTOD POLICY ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Communications and Transport-proposed decision on establishment of an electronic data management on terrain and obstacles (eTOD Policy) of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The establishment of the eTOD Policy for the purpose of implementation of standards in creating, collecting, processing and up-dating of aviation data for users of BIH air space, is relevant for safety of air navigation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a member of Chicago Convention and of ICAO, assumes international standards and recommended practices to secure safe and regular international air transport, thus following practice of the EU countries, like Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia, already applying the eTOD Policy.

The Policy’s main aim is to organise a long-term and reliable concept in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to provide guidelines to parties and decision-makers to develop implementation programmes and take necessary moves to enable eTOD provision.

SUPPORT TO BHANSA MANAGEMENT FOR ESTABLISHEMNT FO OEPRATIVE STABILITY, SECURITY AMD FUNCTIONALITY OF AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Communications and Transport-tabled piece of information on emergency in air traffic control system, caused by a sudden and simultaneous sick leave of operative staff of the Air Navigation Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHANSA).

The session rendered a full support to BIHANSA in taking all legal measures to the end of ensuring a full operative stability, safety and functionality of air traffic control system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Council of Ministers of BIH supports the BHANSA Management activities directed to normalisation of operations and ensuring availability of control staff, especially in situations when operative disturbances may occur, causing a reputation risk to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Council of Ministers confirmed the strategic relevance of meeting obligations taken by the BHANSA within a Network Operative Plan (NOP) and NDOP coordination with EUROCONTROL Network Manager and pointed out that securing a smooth and stable air traffic control system functioning is of relevance of international standing of Bosnia and Herzegovina In Europe air network.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport should, in cooperation with BIHANSA report regularly the Council of Ministers of BIH on measures implementation for normalisation of the Agency’s operative capacities.

Delays in the air traffic above BIH, following an increased number of sick leaves among BHANSA operative staff, come in time of a blockage of financial resources belonging to the Agency, and this was caused by a debt of the Government of Republika Srpska, after an arbitrage process in the “Viaduct” file.

RULEBOOK ON INTERNAL ORGANISATION OF BIH BORDER POLICE

The Council of Ministers of BIH took, in the second round of vote, a Rulebook on internal structure of the Border Police of BIH, for the aim of solving a long-standing issue of insufficient number of border policemen.

The Rulebook defined total 3.120 posts, more for 474 relevant to the pervious Rulebook, among which there are 469 posts for police officers.

The Rulebook adoption should increase efficacy and enable more functional operation of the Broder Police, thus increased security in BIH.

The higher number of police officers follows a development and opening of new border crossings, increase of capacities and fluency at the existing border crossings and international airports, as well as increased complexity of situation at and around borders due to migrations towards our country.

BIH POLICE AGENCIES CADETS’ ADMISSION PLAN ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of security-proposed decision on defining a Plan of Admission of cadets to police agencies at Bosnia and Herzegovina level in 2025.

The decision provides for a Plan of cades admission to the BIH Border Police and Direction for Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH.

The Plan presumes schooling and employment of 150 cadets of a policeman rank with the Border Police of BIH, and 70 cadets of the policeman rank for the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, and the beginning of schooling would be 2026, with employment in 2026 and 2027.

Funds for reimbursements to cadets and for employment of police officers will be secured from the Border Police and Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies budgets, and the rest of required funds will come from the Agency for Staff Schooling and Expert Training.

PERPARATORY ACTIVITIES FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF UNA RAIL

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Communications and Transport-tabled Decision on Amendments and Supplements to Decision on defining the purpose of a part of funs paid for permits for use of radiofrequency spectrum for service provision via mobile access system.

Implementation of the decision in view of development of a concept solution with accompanying studies for putting in operation of the Una rail will be responsibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina Public Railway Corporation (BHŽIK).

The revitalisation of the Una rail will contribute to further economic development of the region, by ensuring a high quality and cheaper transport of new quantities of cargo, disburdening road communications, in addition to increased traffic safety.

The Una rail has its purpose as a shorter transport communication for the aim of planning and putting into operation intermodal transport in the region, which is one among priorities in the European Union.

FIRE SEASON: TO IMPROVE CROSS-INSTITTIONS COOPERATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, in a new text, a piece of information from the Ministry of Security on a workshop “Preparation for 2025 Fire Season and Use of NICS Technologies”, held this April, gathering manager of responsible institutions of civil protection and all-level firefighting agencies, for the aim of achieving a proper readiness level for fire season 2025.

The session adopted several conclusions towards improvement of cross-institutional cooperation and coordination and better application of available firefighting tools and new technologies.

The Council of Ministers tasked the Ministry of Defence and Armed forces of BIH to provide their liaison officer with the BIH Operative-Communication Centre - 112, as well as on the site, in case of their engagement in firefighting.

The Ministry of Defence is responsible to propose to the BIH Presidency granting of consent to the Ministry for engagement of their own and resources of the Amed Forces of BIH for the needs of firefighting in 2025, which would be a general connect for this fire season.

IMPLEMENTATION OF CoMBIH CONCLUSIONS

The session took note of a Review of implementation of Council of Ministers of BIH conclusions for Jan.1-March 1, 2025, drafted by the Council of Ministers of BIH Secretariat-General.

The Review covered 25 institutions of the Council of Ministers of BIH, which realised 106 conclusions or 79.70 per cent of total adopted 133 conclusions, while 27 conclusions remained unimplemented.

Over the reported time, 12 sessions of the Council o Ministers were held, eight regular and four extraordinary ones.

The session pointed at a need for a consistent and accountable approach to implementation of the Council of Ministers of BIH conclusions, to secure better operative effectiveness and functionality of its institutions’ operations.

Ministries and other institutions of the Council of Ministers of BIH are urged to implement conclusions urgently, and to take needed steps without delay in cases where the implementation thereof requires cooperation with other institutions or long time.

BIH SCIENCE COUNCIL APPOINTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed Decision on appointment of a Science Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be chaired over by academician prof. Ph.D. Dragoljub Mirjanić.

The BIH Science Council will have 12 members, other than the President, proposed by responsible Entity and the Brčko District of BIH Ministries for science and education.

The Science Council would, among other things, provide recommendations and opinions for the aim of development of science and technology in Bosnia and Herzegovina, take part in development of Science Development Strategy of BIH and monitor its implementation, including development of the Strategy implementation documents. It will simultaneously provide its recommendation on participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union science and technology programmes and develop and propose to the Ministry of Civil Affairs relevant guidelines and rules.

The membership term is four years and they may be appointed to one more succeeding term.

SMALL ARMS CONTROL COORDIANTION BOARD APPOINTED

A Coordination Board for Small Arms and Light Armament Control in Bosnia and Herzegovina was appointed, and it is comprised of representatives of competent state-level Ministries, as well as Entity and cantonal Ministries of Interior and the Brčko District of BIH Police.

The Coordination Board staff at the state level includes representatives of the State Investigations and Protection Agency, Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, Border police, and BIH Prosecutor’s Office and Indirect Taxation Office of BIH, and Ermin Pešto of the Ministry of Security of BIH was appointed chair.

The Coordination Board competence is to monitor implementation of the Smal Arms and Light Armament Control Strategy, coordination and initiation of activities to responsible bodies in BIH, including activities on development of revised Strategy and its Action Plan.

The Coordination Board should report implementation of aims from the Strategy for Small Arms and Light Armament Control and its Action Plan to the Council of Ministers of BIH annually.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MLFT ACTON PLAN

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled 2024 Report on implementation of 2024-2027 Action Plan for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, connected to virtual property.

Out of total Action Plan included 20 activities, three activities were realised fully last year, 15 were realised partially, and the implementation of two activities has not started.

A significant breakthrough was made by adoption of a new Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities, especially in connection with taking appropriate measures on prevention, mitigation and elimination of identified risks of misuse of virtual property and services connected to digital property in BIH.

ACTIVITY REPORT OF MIGRATIONS COORDINATION BODY OF BIH ADOPTED

The session adopted an Activity Report by the Migrations Coordination Body in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conclusive with Dec. 31, 2024.

The 2021-2025 Migrations and Asylum Strategy defines seven mid-term aims to be implemented through 27 planned measures and 156 activities with defined activity holders and deadlines, for he aim of improvement of a system of comprehensive management of migrations and asylum policies.

37 HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS REGISTERED IN BIH LAST YEAAR

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled Report on human trafficking situation and on implementation of 2024 Human Trafficking Combating Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Total 37 victims of human trafficking were registered in BIH last year, namely, 21 men and 16 women, among them 12 were adult, and 25 were underaged. The predominant form of exploitation was begging, with 12 cases were registered, eight victims were used for labour exploitation and six were sexually abused.

Last year, 24 victims were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 13 victims were foreigners, among which eight citizens of Turkey, one from each Russia, Croatia and Germany, add two victims were citizens of Afghanistan,

Over the reported period, 24 human trafficking victims stayed in safe houses.

The available data suggest at an increase of number of male human trafficking victims, who were more than half od total number last year. Among female victims, there were 67% children. An increase of number of foreign citizens, human trafficking victims was registered, mostly citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

ANTI-MINE ACTIONS IN BIH REPORT ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs-tabled report on Anti-Mine Action in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, drafted by the Mine Action Centre in BIH.

The Report suggests that in January 2025, suspicious dangerous mine contaminated surface was 822,87 km², and was decreased for 15.4 km², relative to suspicious surface in early 2024.

The total spent resources for anti-mine actions in 2024 were KM 28,002,678, of which domestic institutions participated with KM 18,654,344, while foreign donors and international sources financed KM 19,348,334.

An encouraging data is that 2024 saw no mine accident.

IMPLEMENTATION OF FRAMEWORK LAW ON PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs-tabled piece of information on implementation of a Framework Law on Pre-School Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024.

The data suggest that situation in the area has been improving over past years, as evidenced by an increase of number of children beneficiaries of pre-school institutions for 11 per cent in 2024-2025, relative to the previous academic year.

Registered were total 529 pre-school institutions in 2024-22’5 academic year with 45,772 children.

The coverage of children in per-school education at Bosnia and Herzegovina level has grown and this positive trend marks 65 per cent increase over the past five years.

Out of total number of children in pre-school education in the 2024-2025 academic year, 57.2 per cent were covered by public institutions and 42.8% were covered by private institutions.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs will provide the piece of information to the competent Entity and Cantonal Ministries and Assemblies and the Brčko District of BIH Assembly and Education Division, as well as to the Agency for Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Education.

BIH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY BUILDING ROOF REHABILITATION PROJECT APROVED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal by the General Service of BIH Institutions, to approve a multi-annual KM 2,73,622 worth project of roof rehabilitation of the BIH Parliamentary Assembly Building.

The resources will be recorded through capital spending of the General Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina Institutions – Reconstruction and Investment Maintenance.

Earlier, KM 1,203,622 was secured for the project, and funds will be spent for the first phase of the project implementation in 2025, while KM 1,500,000 will be spent from budget funds in 2026.

CONSENT TO APPOINTMENT

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent for appointment of Cyril Lacombe as a liaison judge of the Republic of France for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his seat in Belgrade.

BIH CITIZENSHIPS IN SPORT

The Council of Ministers of BIH took decision on granting citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina in sport, under which Egyptian citizen Yasser Salem was admitted to the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on achieved sports results, upon a proposal by the Federation of Weightlifters of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Olympic Committee of BIH.

It is about a top sportsman, gold medal winner at the 2022 World Junior Weightlifting Championship and Senior Champion of Afrika in 2023 and 2024, potential candidate for winning Olympic gold medal.  (end)

Link for Photos:

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