Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH Nikola Špirić met in Sarajevo today with Ambassador of the Republic of France in BIH Roland Gilles.
At the meeting they highlighted a good bilateral cooperation between BIH and France, with a need for turning attention to enhancement of economic ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Gilles informed Minister Špirić of the on-going activities to strengthen economic relations between the two countries, and announced this year’s plans of promotion of BIH economic potentials, titled “BIH Day in Paris” for French businessmen. Minister Špirić supported the idea, and proposed a similar event to take place in BIH, so that business people both in BIH and France would make a direct contact, which would open the door for their future cooperation, as preconditions for that already exist in the form of many inter-government agreements.
Minister Špirić informed Ambassador Gilles with the current situation concerning adoption of the Draft Budget for 2012, and said that this year’s Budget will be a restrictive one, in line with the agreed to Global Fiscal Framework adopted by the BIH Fiscal Council. Špirić refered to the plans of savings in the administration, adding that funds will be provided for implementation of those pices of legislation that are necessary for BiH’s EU integrations process, including provision of funds for census of population, implementation of local elections and construction of border crossings with Croatia.
“It is very important that the 2012 BIH Budget is adopted as soon as possible, as staying on temporary financing would have adverse effects. The Budget adoption would make the overall situation in BIH easier and would open the way for reform implementation necessary for the EU integration purposes. The reforms that need to be implemented in order to preserve the country’s macroeconomic stability, imply difficulties, not fun, so all in BIH must be aware of that, Špirić said.
Ambassador Gilles agreed that the economic crisis and decrease of public spending is something faced by all Europe, and expressed support to BIH in its reform and EU integration efforts.
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