FIRST JOINT SESSION OF COUNCIL OF MINSITERS ODOF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND GOVERNEMTN OF REPUBLIC OF SERBIA HELD IN SARAJEVO

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia, while considering activities in the area of agriculture and environmental protection, and upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH, started activities to advance cross-border cooperation, aimed at solid waste management in the basin of the Drina River, which would be also discussed with the Government of Montenegro. 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, the session reached an agreement on cooperation in terms of exchange and transfer of experiences in the areas of mitigation and harmonisation of national climate change related legislation with that of the EU.

The session emphasised a need for soon conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on Promotion of Cooperation in Agriculture between the Council of Ministers of Government of the Republic of Serbia.

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed activities in the energy sector, and agreed further activities on construction of power inter-connection – 110 kV powerline Ljubovija – Bratunac.

An inter-government expert committee should be setup to develop a concrete action plan, in cooperation with the Entities.

The Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Serbia also considered an initiative for regulation of mutual relations in view of compensations for flooded land in the Drina River basin, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia (hydro power plants Bajina Bašta and Zvornik).

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia at their first joint session emphasised a need for problem solving concerning the places suitable for illegal crossing of state border of BIH and Serbia.

The session discussed intensification of police cooperation of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia.

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed activities within continued cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia in quality infrastructure.

They noted a need for improved cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia in real projects in the areas of power, environmental protection, natural disaster management and joint application for grant funds under the Western Balkans Investment Framework - WBIF.

Focus will be at the institutional cooperation, specifically, formation of a number of joint ventures, intensified international contacts and cooperation in the areas of investment and export promotion, and FDI attraction.

 

In the sequel of today’s session, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH, conclusion of bilateral agreements on regional cooperation with countries, signatories of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement, in order to increase the volume of cooperation of these states in two-year period of time as at signing of the Agreement.

Upon a proposal of the Ministry without Portfolio of the Republic of Serbia, they discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Serbia on cooperation in the area o European integrations.

The session dealt with planning and realisation of infrastructural projects from a single list of infrastructural projects of relevance for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the Republic of Serbia planned to be funded from the EU sources.

The Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed the cross-border cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and in that context pointed at a need for development of as numerous of as possible cross-border cooperation projects, by following a single methodology, meant for funds attraction.

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia considered, at today’s session in Sarajevo, modalities of enhancement of cooperation in construction, transport and infrastructure.

Upon a proposal by lien Ministries of the two states, they considered a Report on cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia in implementation of the “Strategy for BIH Air Traffic Management System Development”.

The Council of Ministers and Government of the Republic of Serbia considered a possibility for improvement of railway infrastructural connections between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e. setting-up a direct railway line between Belgrade and Sarajevo.

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Civil Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia, possibilities were considered for the improvement of road infrastructural communications between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a proposal was tabled for the road communication Novi Sad – Ruma – Šabac – Loznica – Border with BIH and further though BIH, to be nominated for inclusion into the up-dated comprehensive network of the South-East Europe Transport Observatory.

The session also discussed development of an inter-governmental agreement for construction and opening of a new border-crossing between RS and BIH at the location of Ljubovija – Bratunac, as well as on possibilities for construction of both a joint border-crossing at the BIH territory in Republika Srpska and construction of road communication.

 

The first joint session of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia, discussed, upon proposal of the Ministry of Defence of BIH, the improvement of military cooperation in demining and removal of unexploded mortal devices, and on cooperation in military educational, as well as on certification of seniority insurance attained in the Republic of Serbia for ex-members of the Yugoslav People’s Army and Military Box Office 3001 Belgrade.

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed activities of the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and joint participation at the third markets. The emphasised the importance for continued cooperation of BIH, Serbia and Turkey and opening of a joint representative office of BIH and Serbia and Istanbul.

 

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia discussed several proposals for improvement of cooperation in the areas of labour, employment, war veterans welfare and social welfare.

The session considered possibilities for the improvement and initiation of new cooperation in the areas of health system reforms, legal regulations in the heath sector and harmonisation with relevant regulations of the European Union.

The two states will stimulate cooperation in the areas of research and education in health, exchange of information and experiences, health improvement, disease prevention, public health and epidemiological control of contagious diseases, and cooperation in the areas of artificial insemination and organ transplantation.

 

The first session of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia considered the level of implementation of a Memorandum on Cooperation in Areas of Youth and Sports, aiming to reach an agreement on further steps for establishment of a joint body responsible for setting-up a youth cooperation regional office.

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