Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 101st Session

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REFORMS PROGRAMME ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina took unanimously a decision to adopt 2025 Reforms Programme of Bosnia and Herzegovina, upon a proposal from a Committee for Cooperation NATO and which will be sent to NATO HQ in Brussels by the Ministry of Defence of BIH.

The adoption of this important document should secure conditions for a continued operation of BIH Institutions on defining priorities in implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations related to BIH participation in the “Partnership for Peace” NATO Programme.

BIH Reforms Programme was arranged in five chapters, and it includes political and economic issues, as well as defence and military ones, including issues of resources and security and legal issues.

Relations with NATO, as one of foreign policy priorities of BIH develops continuously through various cooperation programmes and mechanisms.

Bosnia and Herzegovina shows its dedication to inclusion into modern European political, economic and cooperation processes, including cherishing principles of democracy, human rights protection, market economy and rule of law.

TO ACCELERATE GROWTH PLAN OBLIGATIONS-RELAETD ACTIVITIES

The Council of Ministers gave certain assignments to responsible institutions for implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations related to the Growth Plan funds withdrawal.

The Directorate for Economic Planning of BIH should produce a draft decision on setting-up institutional framework and pass it to the Council of Ministers of BIH by its first next session, while the Ministry of Finance and Treasury should provide several draft agreements, both on loan and instrument, for consideration and sending to further decision-making procedure.

The next Council of Ministers session was scheduled for Feb. 18, 2026.

OVER EUR 140 MILLION EC GRANT FOR MOSTAR NORTH7SOUTH ON CORRUIDOR V c

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a proposal Grant Contract (Corridor V c Project Mostar North – Mostar South) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), referring to an investment grant from the Western Balkans European Joint Fund.

The investment grant, worth EIUR 140,372,000, for funding of the Corridor V c Mostar North – Mostar South Project was approved by the European Commission (EC) through the Western Balkans European Joint Fund, to be administered by EBRD.

The project’s purpose is to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in construction of two-lane 15 km-long motorway section. The section starts with Mostar North loop and ends with Mostar South loop, and it is expected to have five tunnels and 10 viaducts on each of two carriageways.

The grant co-finances the Corridor V c Mostar North - Mostar South project together with an earlier concluded EUR 220 million Loan Contract between BIH and EBRD.

The Proposal Contract with Platform for tis conclusion will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further decision-making procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH will act as the BIH signatory thereof.

BIH AND AUSTRALIA ARRANGE SOCIAL INSURANCE RIGHTS

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Australia on Social Insurance. Along with Proposal Administrative Agreement for its implementation and will send it to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, while the Ministry of Civil Affairs will act as the BIH signatory thereof.

Earlier, the session adopted a Negotiations Report by delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Australia.

Regulating rights from social insurance in a bilateral level will provide material and social security to a considerable number of BIH citizens in Australia.

An initiative for responsible regulating social insurance-related relations, pertaining especially to retirement and disability insurance, came from our country, as BIH diaspora living and working in Australia is one among the most important ones.

BIH AND UAE PROMOTE THEIR INVESTMENT COOPERATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to provide an Investment Promotion and Protection Proposal Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the BIH Presidency for further procedure and proposed the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations for BIH signatory thereof.

An Addendum to related Negotiations Report was earlier, stipulating that instead of earlier agreed signing in English language only, it will be signed also in Arabic and languages in official use in BIH.

“DENIS MRNJAVAC” AWARD PRESENTED

The Council of Ministers o BIH took the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees-proposed decision to present a “Denis Mrnajvac” award for promotion of tolerance and non-violence for year 2025.

The award for 2025 was accorded to secondary school students from the Federation of BIH (Enes Balija), Republika Srpska (Pavle Palikuća) and from the Brčko District of BIH (Nikolina Kikić), who contributed to human rights promotion, tolerance and mutual respect among youth.

The awarded students will get a sculpture and a special recognition in a form of plague and several cash awards of KM 1,500.

Also, special recognitions in form of a plague were accorded to Sarajevo “Jezero” Secondary School, Trebinje “Technics School”, and the Brčko District “Agriculture and Medicine School”.

The earlier established “Denis Mrnjavac” Award is presented as memorabilia to all victims of children peer violence and it serves as a violence preventive tool through promotion of tolerance and respect for human rights and freedoms.

SUPPORT TO SETTING-UP ITALIAN INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE IN SARAJEVO

The session defined a Proposal Platform for conclusion of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Italy on Establishment and Operation of Italian Institute for Culture in Sarajevo, proposed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The Sarajevo-based Italian Institute for Culture will strengthen cooperation between BIH and Italy in culture, art, research and education, and it will enable realisation of numerous activities, and promotion and cherishing if Italian culture and language in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well.

This also enables implementation of earlier concluded bilateral agreement on cooperation in education, culture and sports between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Italy.

A Proposal Platform for conclusion of the Agreement will be sent to the BIH Presidency for a further procedure, and the Minister of Civil Affairs of BIH will be the BIH signatory thereof.

MEETING OF EU-BIH SUB-COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Directorate for European Integrations-tabled piece of information on holding of the nineth meeting of the Sub-Committee for Justice, freedom, and Security between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, planned to take place on Feb. 24 and 25, 2026.

The Directorate for European Integrations should cooperate with responsible BIH institutions to implement all required prearrangements for holding of the nineth meeting of the BIH-EU Sub-Committee for Justice, Freedom and Security.

Chair of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Delegation Bakir Dautbašić of the Ministry of Security will be at disposal to media for inquiries as to the meeting.

The Sub-Committee for justice, freedom and Security considers the issues pertaining to the judiciary reform, sanction matters, fundamental rights, freedom of expression, as well as countering corruption, organised crime and violent extremism, among others.

WORK GROUP FORMED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MIGRATIONS AND ASYLUM STRATEGY

The Council of Ministers of BIH took, in the second round of vote, the Ministry of Security-proposed Decision on establishment of a Work Group for development of a Migrations and Asylum Strategy, with a belonging 2026-2030 Action Plan.

The Work group members will be representatives from the State Investigations and Protection Agency, Border Police of BIH, Foreigners’ Affairs Service, in addition to the Federal Interior – Federal Police Administration on, on behalf of the Government of the Federation of BIH, while governments of Republika Srpska and the Brčko District to of BIH have not appointed their representative despite repeated calls.

The Work Group should develop a proposal strategy on migrations and asylum and 2026 action pl<n within six months from the decision-taking, following which the Ministry of Security will pass them to het Council of Ministers for adoption.

Securing efficient border management and all-level migrations management capacities, as well as functioning of an asylum system is one among 14 key priorities from the European Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership in the European Union.

PREPARATIONS FOR SCREENING: TO ACCELERATE REGUALTIONS TRANSLATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH assigned to Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina -regulations elaborators to provide English translations of all regulations they harmonised with the EU acquis as soon as possible to the Directorate for European Integrations for the translation quality control.

All Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina – elaborators should use a “Book for translation of legal acts in Bosnia and Herzegovina to English language”.

These conclusions came out from a piece of information from the Directorate for European Integrations on documents and acts translation, adopted at today’s session.

The related activities are being stepped-up within preparations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for an analytic review of harmonisation of domestic legislation with the European Union legislation (screening).

RULEBOOK ON SALARIES, ALLOWANCES AND EMOLUMENTS TO DIPLOMATIC-CONSULAR STAFF SUPPLEMENTD

The Council of Ministers of BIH took, in the second round of voting, a Rulebook oon supplements to rulebook on salaries, allowances and emoluments to staff in diplomatic-consular offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

By adoption of the Rulebook, employees in diplomatic-consular offices of BIH in 19 states will, based on special conditions of life and work and distance of their office will be additionally compensated for 20-24 per cent to their base salary.

Due to a fact that in certain countries work conditions are more difficult based on climatic or security challenges or physical distance, Bosnia and Herzegovina follows an international diplomatic practice and recognises systemically needs to motivate civil servants in further processes of professionalisation and ensure of staffing stability within foreign affairs system.

SAME CASH AMOUNT FOR FOREIGNERS ENREING BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH took, in the second round of vote, a decision on the minimum amount of money needed for support of a foreigner during his intended stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for year 2026.

The minimum amount  of resources a foreigner has to have at his disposal on his entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2026 is KM 150 or countervalue in foreign convertible currency for each day of his intended stay in BIH; the same amount was applied last year.

MULTI-ANNUAL PROJECT IN BIH PRESIDENC<Y BUILDING IMPLEMENTED

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted an Implementation Report on Multi-Annual Capital Project of the General Affairs Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina Institutions: “Building Project and Roof Reparation and Reconstruction” in Building of the BIH Presidency.

Non-implemented funds of this multi-annual project in amount of KM 189,243.18 will remain at the Single Treasury Account with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and will be used to finance Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Under the relevant contract, total KM 2,065,756.82 was spent in time span from 2015 to 2025.

ACTION PLAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AND BASIC FREEDOMS OF LGBTI PERSONS

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Second Report on implementation of an Action Plan for promotion of human rights and basic freedoms of LGBTI persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, drafted by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees for January-December 2024 report period.

The Council was thus informed on activities and results made in 20224 in the Action Plan strategic areas, especially as to implementation of defined policy, law implementation and activities.

According to the Report, nine out of 17 measures are in implementation, and aside from Bosnia and Herzegovina pride parade of June 2, 2024 in Sarajevo, relevant campaigns and trainings for the aim of awareness rising on LGBTI persons discrimination, suppression of prejudice and stereotypes on LGBTI persons in public administration education, sports, and health care, where a report was completed on LGBTI persons access to health care in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister  for Human Rights and Refugees Svevlid Hurtić signed a declaration titled “The future of freedom and Unity in Europe”, together with Ministers of 32 European states, on the International Day IDAHOT.

The earlier adoption of Action Plan for promotion of human rights and basic freedoms of LGBTI persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a breakthrough in implementation of one among 14 priorities from the European Commission Opinion on BIH membership in the EU.

FIRST ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT ON CRM ACTION PLAN ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, a Report by Coordination Team for Common Market in the Western Balkans (Common Regional Market - CRM) on measures implementation from Oct. 2024-Oct.2025 Regional Market Action Plan, with corrections made at the session.

During the first reporting period, activities within the Regional Free Trade Zone, investments, industry, innovations and digital economy showed a continued progress in strengthening of regional integration, removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of regulatory frameworks with the EU acquis.

CMR 2025-2028 expended its focus to digital economy, green and sustainable transition, innovations and competitiveness, including free movement of goods, services and people.

Results made in free movement of goods and services, customs cooperation, digital transformation, and human capital development confirm commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina to regional integration and European road.

The key of success in future might be found in strengthening of administrative and technical capacities, advancement of institutional coordination and establishment of an effective results monitoring system.

OMBUDSMAN RECOMMENDATION

The Council of Ministers of BHI took note of a recommendation of the Institution of Ombudsman for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to a plea by Sabina Sarić concerning an amendment of a Decision on conditions and procedure for exemption from all import and export fees to disabled persons.

The recommendation was sent to the Indirect Taxation Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Steering Board for the needs of defining an adequate amount for which disabled persons may buy an appropriate motor vehicle at market, as well as for amendments of the decision terminology offensive for disabled persons.

An Amendment Decision on levelling-up money amount within which disabled persons may import passenger car free from import fees from the current KM 30,000 to KM 45,000.is currently in the Steering Board procedure.

AUDIT REPORTS AND PARLAMETNARY ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCLUSIONS CONSIDERED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of an Annual Audit Report on main findings and recommendations for 2024 and Financial Audit Report on Budget Execution of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2024, and relevant conclusions were made for the aim of taking all recommended measures from audit reports.

Also considered was a conclusion of the Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives of BIH, adopted at the 33rd session of Nov. 17, 2025, for the implementation of which the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is n chare. .

The Ministry of Justice of BIH and Coordinator’s Office for Public Administration Reform are responsible following conclusion from the 35th session of January 22, 2026, concerning a discussion on Annual Audit Report and main findings and recommendations for 2024.

CITIZENSHIP OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision on granting citizenship of BIH for German citizen Ahmed Džžemić, based on recommendation by the Swimming Federation of BIIH.

It is an extremely talented swimmer, born in 2008, confirmed by his results made in SC Delphin Ingolstadt and MTV Pfaffenhofen in the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as in the Sport Time Swimming Club Sarajevo, where he practices.

Under several decisions on citizenship of BIH was granted to Director-General of Sisecam soda Lukavac, Ltd Mehmet Tekin Ozdemir, owner and Director of “Metalmont-Mijić” Company, Ltd Prijedor Marina Mijić, and founder of the German Robotics Centre DKR Muamer Babajić for contribution to development of economy, with recommendations by economic chambers and institutions competent for high education. (end)

Link for Photos:

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