Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 102nd Session

BIH CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISION IN IMPLEMENTATION 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined unanimously a Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Labour in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a new text, proposed by the Ministry of Justice for the purpose of an easier law application in practice and implementation of the Constitutional Court of BIH  2025 decision.

The Labour Law Amendments and Supplements enable all employed parents of children with development disabilities to exercise their right to reimburse half time work hours, irrelevant the right regulation at other authority levels.

A provision regulating a paid leave was defined, in line with recommendations of the Audit Office of BIH Institutions

The amendments and supplements ensure improvement of legal solutions implying equality and legal security of all employees, right to work, freedom to work, transparency, human rights and basic liberties protection, including other international standards defined rights, as well as conditions for conclusion, duration and application of service contract provisions.

The Ministry of Justice will send the Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Labour in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH for adoption.

ADOPTED “EI” PROPOSAL LAW ON PROTECTION OF GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined by a majority vote a Proposal Law on Protection of Geographic Origin Sign with an “EI” Mark, as a confirmation of relevant harmonisation with the European Union legislative, with corrections adopted at the session.

The Institute for Intellectual Property of BIH proposed the Law to both strengthen protection of intellectual property in geographic signs and fulfil international obligations as to its harmonisation with an Agreement on Trade Aspects of Right to Intellectual Property, Madrid Agreement and Lisbon Arrangement.

Aside from defining geographic origin signs basic terms (sign of origin of a product, protected geographic mark, protected name of origin) based on principles of international standards, new terms were introduced (“protected geographic mark” and “protected name of origin”).

The new provision provides an exclusive right to not only authorised user of protected name of origin, but to authorised user of protected geographic mark to label their products by defined mark.

Also, a list of products protected by a mark of geographic origin is extended, and a protection was introduced for “guaranteed traditional speciality” and “mountain products”.

An important novelty in the proposed law is annulation of appeal procedure and introduction of an administrative dispute procedure, to be initiated by a claim with the Court of BIH challenging the Institute decision, which is the final instance in relevant administrative procedure, thereby dealing with the issue in unified way in all intellectual property law proposals.

The Proposal Law will be sent to the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH to further adoption procedure. 

TO PERSIST IN ISSUE-SOLVING OF PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS STAY IN EU

The Council of Ministers of BIH highlighted an importance of coordinated actions by responsible institutions of the region towards the European Union to the end of issue-solving of limited stay of professional drivers in the EU, which affects the whole region.

Related activities will be continued with responsible institutions of the region and European institutions, even more for the limited stay of professional drivers from the Western Balkans in the EU causes serious delays in transport and threatens with a full blockage of export and import. 

FREEZING OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR 211 CITIZENS OF BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH took several decisions on freezing economic and financial resources for 11 citizens of BIH, for the needs of implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations stemming from the United Nations Security Council resolution 1373 /(2001) and application of domestic destruction mechanism. The several decisions will be published at the Ministry of Security of BIH web site and the Official Gazette of BIH.

It is about natural persons brought in connection with execution of a criminal act of terrorism and other criminal acts connected to terrorism and financing of terrorism.

The decisions have a preventive feature and aim protection of security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and meeting of international obligations of the state, including those towards MONEYVAL concerning financial sanctions for terrorism, and they are not definition of criminal accountability not they prejudice outcome of any of procedure before competent courts or prosecutor’s offices. 

EU RULEBOOK ON DEFINIGN TEMPORARY BORDER-CROSSING

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security Rulebook on defining a temporary border-crossing with an “EI” mark, which increases border security, while BIH takes over relevant EU acquis.

The Rulebook, the adoption of which stemmed form a new Law on Border Control, regulates a procedure for defining a temporary border-crossing, competences and procedure for decision issuance, i.e. by both those receiving an application and those submitting it.

The ministry of Security is in charge for the Rulebook application monitoring.

The Rulebook takes effect on the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of BIH, and the 2010 Rulebook then ceases to be in force. 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM: REGISTER OF EMPLOYEES WITH BIH INSTITUTIONS 

The BIH Civil Service Agency-proposed Decision on Keeping Register of Employees with BIH Institutions was taken, with agreed corrections made, by which a high quality and effective system was established of human resources management within the state-level public administration reform, which is one among priorities on the European road.

The Register represents IT files for all civil servants and employees, including data on institutions, internal organisation, as well as data on employees, namely, position, education, professional training, skills, experience, seniority, marks, possible discipline measures and sanctions.

Police staff is exception, together with active military staff, employees with the Intelligence-Security Agency, and employees with the Institute for Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Detention and Other Measures, for which, due to their position, statistics data will be presented in the Register.

The Civil Service Agency manages development and keeping of the Register and ensures its availability to institutions, while institution units responsible for implementation of the Law on Civil Service should implement the Register related provision.

An obligation to set-up the register stemmed from the Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Civil Service in BIH Institutions, earlier adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH, upon the Council of Ministers’ proposal. 

POLICE OFFICERS APPEALS COMMITTEE APPOINTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed Decision on appointment of a Police Officers Appellation Committee, thus enabling continuation of its work, after the term of earlier appointed members expired on Dec. 16, 2025.

The Police Officers Appellation Committee is responsible for decision taking upon appellations filled by police officers against decisions taken or omitted to take by BIH Police Bodies as to status of police officer.

The Committee has the following members: Bakir Dautbašić of the Ministry of Security of BIH as Chair, Ljubiša Pandurević on behalf of the State Investigations and Protection Agency of BIH (SIPA) as Deputy Cahir, and five members, on behalf of the Border Police of BIH (Bojan Petrović and Igor Kajtez), Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH (Alen Mujkanović), and Ministries of Justice (Boris Jukić) and Civil Affairs (Alija Bazdulj).

The Decision takes effect on the day of adoption and will be published in the Official Gazette of BIH. 

DECISION ON TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CUSTOMS TARIFFS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-proposed Decision on temporary suspension and temporary decease of customs tariffs in import of new electric, hybrid and CNG/LPG vehicles to Dec. 31, 2026, in accordance with the Law on customs Tariffs of BIH.

This extends cancelation of customs to import of electric cars in BIH, and with CNG vehicles using natural gas, free of customs import in 2026 covers LPG vehicles, while decreased customs tariffs of 5 per cent will continue to be applied for import of hybrid vehicles.

The decision pertains to import to Bosnia and Herzegovina of newly produced vehicles without preferential status of goods originating from countries with which BIH has concluded free trade agreements.

With a concrete financial support to buyers of this kind of cars, the Council of Ministers of BIH encourages a massive import of these, which contributes to a healthier environment, as one among key pillars of the Western Balkans Green Agenda, including increased safety on BIH roads.

Since 2022, when the Decision on temporary suspension and temporary decrease of customs tariffs for import of new electric and hybrid cars started to be in application, a continued growth of free of customs import was confirmed by 2022 data, when 133 certificates were issued, compared with 857 in 2024. Also, a revenues growth was recorded in the sector for almost KM 650,000 in 2023, relevant to 2022, while revenues grew in 2024 for KM 230,000, relevant to the year before. 

STRONGER INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION WITH MALTA IN TOURISM 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Malta on cooperation in tourism, which contributes to creation of new development policies in the sector.

The Memorandum represents a starting point for improvement of bilateral cooperation in tourism, especially in exchange of information on development strategies and tourism promotion, investment and partner possibilities, facilitation of contact between institutions and tourism education hubs, arrangement of meetings for touristic operators and all tourism responsible bodies and private sector representatives.

The Proposal Memorandum of Understanding will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will be the BIH signatory thereof. 

KM 300k FROM BUDGET ENSURED FOR INTER-RELIGION COUNCIL OF BIH

An Amendment to Protocol on Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Inter-Religion Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted upon a proposal by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.

Under the Amendment to Protocol, an amount to finance operations of the Inter-Religion Council from the annual Budget of BIH institutions was increased from earlier KM 100,000 to KM 300,000, enabling this financial transfer to take place under a temporary financing mode.

The increase of money for financing of the body was based on a fact that funds defined in 2008 have no the same value 18 year later, also because the Inter-Religion Council of BIH continues to expand its operations and contributes significantly to development of dialogue, tolerance and social cohesion. 

CADET ADMISSION PLAN TO BIH POLICE AGENCIES 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on defining an admission plan for training and employment of 330 cades to the Border Police of BIH, State Investigations and Protection Agency (SIPA) and Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH in 2026.

This way, 330 cadets were planned for education and employment with the Broder Police of BIH, State Investigations and Protection Agency, and Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH.

Total 2000 cadets in policeman rank were planned for education and employment with the BIH Broder Police in the course of 2027 and 2028, while 75 cadets, of which 70 policemen and 5 junior inspectors were planned for education in 2026 and employment in 2027, namely 30 junior inspectors and 25 policemen with the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies in BIH, and 55 of them, namely 30 junior inspectors and 25 policemen was planned for education and employment with SIPA un 2026. 

PIECE OF INFORMATION ADOPTED ON MIGRATIONS SITUATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled piece of information on migrations situation for nine months 2025, which provided an insight into key trends in migrations and asylum, border management, illegal migrations, including migrant smuggling, international protection, and return and readmission.

The piece of information points at a strengthening of cooperation in migrations issue between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union through signing relevant agreements and protocols, while internally, adopted were a new Law on Border Control, 2025-2029 Integrated Border Management Strategy with its Action Plan, and a new Rulebook on Internal organisation of BIH Border Police.

As to a Measures and Activities Plan for Effective Migrant Crisis Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina, out of total 127 activities, realised were 107fully or partially.

In the first nine months of last year, total evidenced were 9.542 illegal migrants, which is a decrease of 55% relevant to the same time 2024, and migrants came mostly from Egypt, Afghanistan, Marocco, Türkiye and Syria.

The BIH Border Police evidenced 2,626 individuals in illegal crossing or attempting it, which is 73 % less than in the same time 2024, The discovered individuals were mostly from Türkiye (364), Syria (250), Afghanistan (216), Egypt (168), Bangladesh (151), and Pakistan (120).

In the first nine months last year, approved were total 10,627 temporary stays based on the Law on Foreigners, or nine per cent more than a year before, of which 4,661 temporary stays were approved for the first time, while 5,966 temporary stays were prolonged. The primary reasons for foreigners coming to BIH are work, family reunion and education. 

BIH DISASTER RISK DECREASE PLATFORM IMPLEMENTATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, in the second round of vote, a piece of information on implementation of a Disaster Rick Reduction Planform of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the Ministry of Security-co-organised conference with the Untied National Development Programme in October 2025.

The session adopted relevant conclusions for implementation of the Disaster Risk Decrease Platform in BIH, in line with the Sarajevo-held Conference conclusions that gathered representatives of competent institutions in BIH, UN agencies, academic community civil society, with a thematic focus at landslides, as one among the most serious risks in BIH.

The BIH Disaster Risk Decrease Platform, under the auspices of the Ministry of Security was set-up in 29013 as a forum for exchange of views covering all factors of society from various areas of action, to offer the best solutions for disaster prevention and protection. 

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SUCCESFUL IN EU CERV PROGRAMME

Bosnia and Herzegovina made significant results during its participation in 2021-2927 Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme, reads the piece of information by the Ministry of Justice of BIH, adopted at today’s session.

Participants form Bih were approved 16 proejcts in 2023, namely, five of main holder and 10+1 of a partner.

The entry ticket for BIH for participation in the project in 2024 was EUR 46,663, and BIH participants withdrew through project EUR 850,264.21, so the funds withdrawal rate in relation to the free was 1,822.13 per cent. Total EUR 33,117 was reserved for the entry ticket for 2023, and BIH participants drew EUR 136,701.28 from the Eu Programme, so the withdrawal rate was 412.48 per cent.

Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in CERV Programme in three out of four Programme areas referring to equality, rights and gender equality, inclusion and citizen participation, as well as Daphne – combat against violence, including gender violence and violence against children. The fourth area, “protection and promotion of Union values” is reserved for EU members only. 

PARTICIPATION IN EU4HEALTH PROGRAMME

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU4Health Programme in 2025, which reviews activities completed on establishment of required bodies and the Programme promotion, in which BIH has taken part from early 2024.

Reports on relevant activities as to the EU4Health Programme and on-going calls from the Programme are regularly posted at the Ministry of Civil Affairs web site.

According to available data from the Ministry, 20  entities from BIH applied to calls in 2025  within the Programme within joint actions and they were focused as follows: at increasing capacities of national systems for detection and control of vector contagious diseases; education for management of medical countermeasures; medicines quality and implementation of relevant legislation; provision of regulatory or scientific advices to small and micro enterprises for their development support.

Also, six more entities from BIH applied last year for four direct grants, which include sequencing of whole genome; monitoring system within OneHealth approach; keeping of European nomenclature of medical devices and secondary use of health data.

In the first year of BIH participation in the EU4Healtj Programme, in 2024, 11 entities from Bosnia and Herzegovina were accepted for participation in seven projects (six joint actions and one action grant).

The EU4Health supports development of stronger, more resilient and accessible health systems. The total value of the EU4Health Programme for 2021-2027 is EU 4.4 billion. 

TO START PUBLIC JOB VACANCY PROCEDURE

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of several pieces of information by the Civil Service Agency of BIH on expiration of term to Head of Institution for Execution of Criminal Sanctions, Detention and Other Measures of BIH, whose term expires in August 1, 2026, and to Manager and Deputy Manager of the Institute for Accrediting of BIH, whose term expires on August 2, 2026.

The Civil Service Agency of BIH should start a procedure of public job vacancy for these positions.

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