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 40^th 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 12^th 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 1501^st 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:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720317783038