RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT ON PARTIICPATION IN ECURIE ARRANGMEENTS
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The Council
of Ministers of BIH defined the Minist5ry of foreign Affairs-tabled proposal
Decision on Ratification of an Agreement between the European Community or
Atomic Energy (Euratom) and non-member countries of the European union on their
participation in the Community arrangements for early exchange of information
in case of radiological emergency (Ecurie). The Proposal Decision will be
provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure.
The aim of the
Agreement is to secure more effective and timely data exchange between Bosnia
and Herzegovina and EU countries in extraordinary developments caused by a
radiological danger.
By acceding the
Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina will advance the protection system from
ionising radiation and will protect health of population and environment from
tis potential adverse effects. Which may occur due to extraordinary situations
with radioactive and nuclear matters.
This will also
strengthen capabilities for implementation of international obligations
pursuant to a Convention on Early Notification on Nuclear Accident, and will
improve possibilities of acquiring international assistance as to system
monitoring.
Acceding to the
Agreement is relevant from the aspect of deeper approximation and
institutionalisation of relations with the European Union in the stabilisation
and accession process.
BIH ACEEDS GLOBAL CONVENTION ON RECOGNITION OF HIGH
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
The Council
of Ministers of BIH defined a proposal Decision on Ratification of the Global
convention on recognition of High Education Qualifications.
Acceding of
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Global Convention will enable strengthening of
cross-regional academic mobility, promotion of international cooperation in
high education, democratisation of high education and possibilities of
life-time learning.
The Global
Convention on Recognition of High Education Qualifications was adopted at the
40th session of the General Assembly of United Nations Organisation
for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in late 2019. The Presidency of BIH
took a Decision on Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Convention at its
regular 12th session of March 11, 2024, and tasked the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to sign an instrument on accession.
TO FACILITATE EXPERTS’ MOBILITY WITHIN REGION
The Council
of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Decision on Ratification of Agreement on
Recognition of Professional Qualifications of Nurses, Veterinarians,
Pharmaceutics and Midwives, in the context of the Central European Free Trade
Agreement. The Proposal Decision will be passed to
the BIH Presidency for further procedure.
The Agreement on
Recognition of Professional Qualifications of Nurses, Veterinarians,
Pharmaceutics and Midwives, in the context of the Central European Free Trade
Agreement was signed by Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto
in Tirana on Oct. 16, 2023, at the Western Balkans Summit within the Berlin
Process.
The Agreement
facilitates mobility of professionals within the region by automatic
recognition of professional qualifications for nurses, veterinarians,
pharmaceutics and midwives, which strengthens regional cooperation and incites
economic development of the Western Balkans.
BIH IN EURO MED PROGRAMME WORTH TOTAL EUR 293,624,033
The Council
of Ministers of BIH defined and will pass to the BIH Presidency a Proposal
Decision on Ratification of Finance Agreement for Interreg VI-B 2021-2027
Programme EURO MEDITERRANEAN (EURO-MED) between the European Union, represented
by the European Commission, Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the
directorate for European Integrations, and Republic of France, represented by
the Franch region Provence-Alpe-Cóte d’Azur.
The Agreement
defines conditions for financing and implementation of the Programme in BH,
with financial support from the Fund for Regional Development and Instrument
for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA-III), together with national co-financing.
The total
programme budget was set at EUR 293,624,033, and total financial contribution
by the European Union is EUR 234,899,226, while EUR 58,724,807 will be
co-financed by participatory countries.
The overarching
aim of the Programme is promotion of sustainable growth in the Mediterranean
region by encouraging innovative concepts and practices, including rational
resource utilisation, through a cooperation-based integrated territorial
approach.
The term of the
Agreement is 15 years from the date the last party signs it.
The EURO MED
Programme is to be implemented by Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Bulgaria,
Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Montenegro,
Albania and North Macedonia.
INTERREG VI-A IPA CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION CROATIA –
BIH – MONTENEGRO
The Council
of Ministers of BIH Defined the ministry of foreign Affairs-tabled Proposal
Decision on ratification oof Finance Agreement for Interreg VI-A IPA Programme
of cross-Border Cooperation among Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
Montenegro.
Defined was
also a Proposal Decision on Ratification of Agreement among the Republic of
Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on implementation of “2021-2027
Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro”
The Proposal
Decisions will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further ratification
procedure.
The Agreements
were signed on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Director of the Directorate
for European Integrations of BIH Elvira Habota in Sarajevo, on Jan. 4, 2024.
The aim of the
IPA Programme si strengthening fo social, economic, and territorial development
of cross-border areas through investments in innovations, competitiveness,
welfare, environmental protection, and tourism.
The total
Programme budget is EUR 138,453,765, of which the Eu financial contribution is
EUR 117,685,699, and the remaining EUR 20,768,066 will be co-financed by
countries participants.
The term of the
Agreement is 15 years from the date the last party signs it.
CRITERIA DEFINED FOR SELECTIN OF INTERNATAIONAL LAW
OFFICE FOR TRGOVSKA GORA CASE
The Council
of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on definition of criteria
for publishing a public call for selection of international law office for
legal counselling services in connection to a cross-border procedure of
environment impact study regarding planned storing of radioactive waste at the Trgovska
Gora site.
The Ministry of Foreign
Trade and Economic Relations of BH is tasked to start, in cooperation with the Chief
Attorney’s Office of BIH, the process of publishing the public call for
selection on an international law office, pursuant criteria defined.
The Council of
Ministers of BIH will by a special decision, to be proposed by the Ministry of
Foreign trade and economic relations oof BIH, secure funds from the Ministry’s
Budget for financing of costs of engagement of an international law office,
under which it will define amount and source of finances.
The Ministry of
Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH should report activities
implemented to the Council of Ministers of BIH semi-annually or more frequent,
if appropriate.
REGULATION
SUPPLEMENTS
The Council of
Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed Regulation on
Supplements to Regulation on Salaries, Allowances and Reimbursements to Bosnia
and Herzegovina diplomatic-consular offices staff.
The Regulation
Supplements define allowances for rent of accommodation space to
diplomatic-consular offices staff to be accounted under earlier defined
percentages to salary by applying zero coefficient of belonging salary class,
which would enable payment of allowance in approximately equal amounts and will
ensure equal treatment of employees.
This will remove
differing construing and prevent discrepant practices for accounting of
allowances for accommodation space in diplomatic-consular offices by
application of internal higher coefficient stemmed from the Methodology of
employees within salary class.
The
implementation of the Regulation requires no additional finances, since the
accounting of allowance for accommodation space rent is presently made to
applying zero coefficient of the belonging salary class.
ADOPTED 2024 PLAN OF CADETS ADMISSION TO BIH-LEVEL
POLICE AGENCIES
The Council
of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed Decision on defining
a Plan of cadets’ admission to police agencies at the BIH Institutions level in
2024.
The Decision defines
the Plan for cadets’ admission as follows: to the State Investigations and Protection
Agency (SIPA) 15 cadets for rank of policeman and junior inspector; Border
Police (GP) of BIH 150 cadets for rank of policeman, and Direction for Coordination
of Police Bodies (DKPT) of BIH 50 cadets for rank of policeman.
Funds for
payment of reimbursements and for financing of employment of police officers
will be secured from the SIPA, GP BIH, and DKPT budgets, and the remaining
funds needed for cadets education will be provided form budget of the Agency
for schooling and staff expert up-grading.
INCREASED NUMBER OF ILLEGAL MIGRANTS
The Council
of Ministers adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled piece of information on
situation in the area of migrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Q1 2024,
which will be provided to the BIH Presidency and Parliamentarian Assembly Joint
Committee for Defence and Security.
In the first
three months of this year, foreigners were allowed 1,950 temporary stays, and
the main reason for that were education, work with and without work permit.
Simultaneously, extended were 1,555 temporary stays based on family reunion and
work with or without work permit. The major number of the first and prolonged
temporary stays were approved to citizens of Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, India,
Montenegro, napalm, China and Shri Lanka. Also approved were 110 permanent
stays, of which most to citizens of Montenegro, Croatia and North Macedonia.
In the first
three months of 2024, registered were 6,544 illegal migrants, which is an
increase of 26 per cent relative to registered 5,200 in 2023.
In the reported
period evidenced were 3,928 individuals in illegal or attempted illegal border
crossing (1,434 on entering and 2,494 on exiting BIH), which is 60% more than
in the same time period in 2023.,. the individuals detected in illegal
border-crossing were mostly citizens of Syria (1,010), Tukey (470), Afghanistan
(375), Morrocco (202), and Pakistan (98).
Over the
reporter period of time procured was equipment of documents check, as well as
multisensory medium range systems for border surveillance to be installed on
the existing vehicles, including thematic courses for the aim of increased
effectiveness in state border protection.
Employed were 22
individuals who have completed training for a rank of junior inspector, while
training of 98 cadets for a rank of policeman is on-going.
The border
surveillance and protection were secured by cooperation of the Directorate for
Coordination of Police Bodies, State Investigation and Protection Agency,
Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, Cantonal Ministries of Interior and
Brčko District of BIH Police. Cooperation with Frontex unfolds through planning
and implementation of training, together with joint actions.
AWARDS IMPLEMENTATION FROM GROUP OF “SEJDIĆ-FINCI”
FILES
The Council
of Ministers of BIH took note of a piece of information from the Office of the
Council of Ministers Agent before the European Court for Human Rights on a
temporary resolution by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
CM/ResDH(2023)481 of Dec,. 17, 2023 on implementation of ECHR awards from the
group of files Sejdić and Finci vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, ap.No.27996/06.
Three BIH Agents
before the ECHR are obliged to attend an exchange of opinions at the 1501st
session of the CoE Committee of Ministers to be held this June, in order to
assess progress made and award implementation.
PESTICIDE RESIDUALS ON FOOD 2023 REPORT
The Council
of Ministers of BIH adopted a report from the BIH Food Safety Agency on
implemented Programme of Control of Pesticide Residuals on Food of Herbal and
Animal Origin in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023.
The report
provides detailed information on control activities In Bosnia and Herzegovina
with a main aim of achieving a high level of protection of life and health of
people, in addition to providing an insight into results thereof.
According to the
report, out of total analysed 155 samples in 2023, 37.4% contained residuals of
pesticides within/above the quantification level, which is less relevant to
year 202 (46.2%). With 6.4% samples, there were found residuals od active
matters above maximum allowed quantities, but within limits of measured
unsafety, so no inappropriate samples were found.
Out of total 58
samples where pesticide residuals were found, 32 samples contained more than
one active matter above quantification level. According to the valid Eu
legislation, the presence of several residuals in a single sample remains
compliant all until each residual level does not pass an individual MRL
(maximum residue level) set by each active matter. Competent inspection bodies
were informed of results of laboratory analyses for 10 samples containing
quantified values of pesticide residuals above prescribed MRL, within measure
unsafety, in order to step-up control of importers/producers of relevant
products.
Results of the
implemented control programme indicate that certain detected active matters are
compliant with prescribed MRL in Bosnia and Herzegovina, however not with valid
Eu regulations. The consequence may be threatening of health of people in BIH,
creation of obstacles for free movement of food and creation of uneven market
conditions, having a direct impact to market operations.
The Food Safety
Agency of BIH should continuously be taking all required activities, within its
competences and in cooperation with responsible bodies of the Entities and
Brčko District of BIH, as to planning, preparation and implementation of the
control programme of pesticide residuals in and on food of herbal and animal
origin in BIH.
Responsible
inspection bodies of BIH, the Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska, Brčko
District of BIH, and Cantons are recommended to use data from 2023 report on
implemented Control Programme of pesticide residuals in and on food of herbal
and animal origin in BIH, so that the same would be based on a risk assessment.
REFLECTION TO COMPLAINT BY S. SABLJICA
The Council
of Ministers of BIH defined its reflection to complaint by Samir Sabljica sent
to the Institution of Ombudsman for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
indicating that on appointment to the position of Deputy Coordinator for Public
Administration Reform there were neither labelling nor suspicion as to
reputation and dignity of the complainant.
CONSENT FOR FILLING LOAN APPLICATION TO DEVELOPMENT
BANK OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE
The Council
of Ministers of BIH gave its consent to microcredit association “Eki” for
filling a loan application to the Council of Europe Development Bank for
partial financing of microcredits for households and micro enterprises, in
accordance with Articles II and VII of the Articles of Agreement of the
Development Bank of the Council of Europe.
It is about the
loan application for EUR three million, and the obligation of consent was
neither connected to indebting Bosnia and Herzegovina nor to issuing of state
guarantees.
CONSENT FOR REALISATION OF OPEC FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT LOAN
The Council
of Ministers of BIH gave its consent, upon proposal by the Ministry of Finance
and Treasury, to the OPEC Fund for International Development for realisation of
a credit line to the Raiffeisen Bank, JSC BIH, pursuant to an Agreement on
Investment Promotion and Protection between Bosnia and Herzegovina and OPEC
Fund for International Development.
The OPEC Fund
for International Development allocates loan to the Raiffeisen Bank, Sct. BIH
in amount of EUR 12,500,000.00 for support to SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Raiffeisen
Bank, as borrower, bears fully loan repayment risk in the targeted sector and
ensures to creditor all required coverages and guarantees for the loan
approval.
An obligation of
granting consent for investments the OPEC Fund for International Development
implements in Bosnia and Herzegovina stems from Article III of the Agreement on
Promotion and Protection of Investments between Bosnia and Herzegovina and OPEC
Fund for International Development and is not related to indebting of Bosnia
and Herzegovina or to issuance of sovereign state guarantees.
APPOINTMENTS
The Council of
Ministers of BIH appointed Marko Kubatlija for Director of the Foreign
Investments Promotion Agency of BIH (FIPA).
Based on
implemented public ad, a decision was made on appointment of Enis Horozović for
Director of the Mine Action Centre of BIH, and Ivan Dunđer and Biljana Ristić
were appointed Deputies Director.
Srđan Šekara was
appointed for Director of the BIH Fund for Return. (end)
Ling to photo:
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