Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 107th Session

SYSTEM SOLUTION TO ACCOMODATION OF BIH INSTITUTIONS 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, upon a proposal of the Committee for Purchase of Facilities for the BIH Institutions, individual resolutions on purchase of buildings for the accommodation of BIH Institutions in Mostar, Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banjaluka and East Sarajevo. This is to provide a system resolution to the issue of accommodation of BIH Institutions and thus make long-term budget savings, as last year’s rental expanses reached KM 9 million.

The facilities concerned are whole or parts of buildings as follows: in Mostar at “Orca” SPO of 1,598.48 m2 priced at KM 5,610,664.80; “Hidrogradnja” building in Sarajevo of 3,170.44 m2 space priced at KM 8,997,708.72; commercial offices in Banjaluka of 722.94 m2, owned by the GP “Krajina”, priced at KM 2,994,272.89; “Teacom” Company building in East Sarajevo of 407.09 m2, priced at KM 997,370.50; “Tehnograd” commercial offices in Tuzla priced at KM 910,780.00.

Before decision-taking, the Council of Ministers adopted a report from the Committee, with accompanying suggestions and proposals of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BIH.

The Council of Ministers has earlier approved KM 20 million for the project of purchase of facilities for the accommodation of BIH Institutions, and it was included into a Multi-Annual 2012-2014Capital Investment Programme.

 

 

PRIORITY RECONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING UNTIS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of a report of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees on flood aftermaths in BIH and on issues of displacement and reconstruction of housing units, setting the rehabilitation of housing units is the top priority in the coming period, while donors were urged to direct their available funds primarily to reconstruction of housing units as quickly as possible.

With a view at taclking with challenges of flood-caused displacement and for normalisation of life, among priorities there is a reconstruction and putting into function health facilities, schools and other community facilitates.

According to the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, floods and landslides in BIH caused displacement of 89,982 persons, razing total 1,943 housing units and damaging 41,306 housing units, which totals 43,249 housing units i.e. families in need for accommodation.

The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees will report to the Council of Ministers quarterly or more often, as appropriate, on the status of the hosing and will propose measures for the improvement of the situation in the sector.

The Council of Ministers required the Cross-Sector Work Group a report on development of criteria for allocation of aid after May floods in BIH, as the realisation of a conclusion from the 106^th Council of Ministers session..

 

 

PROJECT OF SUPPORT TO FLOODED AREAS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic Relations on realisation of the FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation) “Emergency Assistance to Flood Affected Cattle Owners and Capacity Development for Speeded Recovery” Project.

The signatory of the Project Agreement is proposed to be Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Boris Tučić, and Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Food Industry, Forestry and Rural Development Dušan Nešković was designated as the project coordinator.

Funds to be provided under the Project are intended for forage purchase worth USD 476,000, while 620 tonnes of locally produced forage be distributed to 2,500 small cattle raisers in the flood worst affected areas.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS POSTPONED FOR THE NEXT SESSION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH postponed for the next session reflection on reports on mandates expiry to managers of several BIH Institutions and Steering Boards, as well as on proposals appointments of several managers in BIH Institutions, committees, and bodies of the Council of Ministers of BIH.

 

 

TREATY ON STATE BORDER WITH MONTENEGRO

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined proposal basics for negotiations and conclusion of a Treaty on State Border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, which improves bilateral relations, meets the UN Chapter commitments and sends a positive signal to  counties of the region, European and global partners on readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to regulate amicably the remaining outstanding issues.

Under the Treaty, the state border will run along the junction of state borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia on North, and along the junction of borders between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Croatia on South. The deadline for the demarcation of the border on the ground is up to three years from this Treaty taking effect.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs will provide the proposal with basics to the Presidency of BIH for further procedure.

 

 

BIH AND TURKEY TO MUTUALLY RECOGNISE DRIVES LICENCES

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined proposal basics for negotiations on an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Turkey on mutual recognition and replacement of drivers licences, which would enable citizens of both states to fill a request, while staying in the other state, for issuance of replacement drivers licence without taking drivers exam.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport will provide the proposal basics to the Presidency of BIH for further procedure, while Minister Damir Hadžič was proposed as the BIH signatory.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CARE PLANS IN BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined proposal basics for signing of a Biannual Cooperation Agreement 2014-2016 between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Europe Regional Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to reflect a vision of the WHO Regional Office  - Improved Health for Europe -  and principles and values of the “Health 2020”.Europaean Policy document.

The “Health 2020”, targeting the reduction of inequality in health care provision, would be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina through development of new and improvement of the existing public health plan documents to focus to control of non-contaminable diseases burden.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs will provide the proposal basics to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and Minister Sredoje Nović is proposed as the BIH signatory.

 

TO SET-UP ICPE OFFICE IN SARAJEVO

 

The Council of Ministers defined proposal basics for negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Centre for Promotion of Entrepreneurship (ICPE), Slovenia, for the purpose of fostering of cooperation by way of establishing the ICPE Office in Sarajevo.

The IPCE Office in Sarajevo will contribute to development of entrepreneurship, targeting public enterprises, especially their effective and socially responsible management, and development of public-private partnerships in BIH.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the proposal basics to the Presidency of BIH for further procedure, and Minister Zlatko Lagumdžija was proposed as the BIH signatory.

 

 

TO IMPROVE EXPORTER COMPETITIVENESS IN BIH

 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH, the Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on a change of tariffs of administrative fees in a part relating to permissions for international road passenger and cargo transport.

In order to create better business environment and secure higher competitiveness of BIH transporters, the Decision provides for a reduction of prescribed administrative fees and their harmonisation with those in the region.

In line with the Decision, KM 300 is to be paid by enterprises for the first permit to carry out passenger transport or motor vehicle transit at a regular line in the international road transport, while KM 40 is to be paid for every subsequent permission, under condition of presentation of required certified accompanying documents. A foreign natural and legal person is freed from an obligation to pay fee under this tariff, based on the condition of reciprocity.

In international road transport  of cargo the price of KM 10will be paid by natural or legal persons  at for any bilateral individual permit, and KM 250 will be paid for annual permit. In such case, a foreign natural or legal person is freed from charges under the condition of reciprocity.

 

 

KM 300,000.00 GARANT FOR TAKING CARE OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND ARMED FORCES RELEASED PERSONNEL

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to realise a grant for the implementation of Transition and Taking Care of Released Personnel of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Programme titled “Prospect”, in 2014.

The amount of KM 300,000.00 is planned to be spend in 2014 for taking care of 71 persons under the “Prospect” Programme.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury is allowed a transfer of BIH Budget funds approved to the Ministry of Defence, based on the Decision.

The Ministry of Defence is tasked to provide a final report to the Council of Ministers on the grant implementation for the “Prospect” Programme in 2014.

 

 

BIH TO ACCESS THE EU “CUSOMS 2020“ PROGRAMME

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a note proposing a launch of a procedure of accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the “Customs 2020” EU Programme, and designated the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations as a holder of the Programme accession related activities.

The IPA funds will be committed for the BIH contribution to the Customs 2020 Programme.

The seven-year Customs 2020 Programme for 2014-2020is is a follow-up of the Customs 2013 Programme. It is the European Union programme for support to operation and u-grading of the customs union aiming at strengthening internal market though cooperation between member countries, their respective custom administrations and officers. A part of the Programme ensures an access to a single IT platform, which Bosnia and Herzegovina may join before becoming an EU member. The participation at the single IT customs system would enable easier and speedy transfer of goods to and from BIH.

 

 

STATE PLAN FOR PROTECTION FROM IONISING RAYS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, proposed by the Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, on taking a State Action Plan for emergency citizens’ protection from ionising rays in case of emergency situations, nuclear accident or nuclear damage.

The aim of the Plan is to establish effective and successful alert and response system with the pipeline of competent BIH institutions in case of radiological or nuclear event in BIH territory. The realisation of the plan involves 18 State-level institutions and 9 Entity-level  and six Brčko District of BIH institutions.

 

 

BIH LEGISLATIVE OFFICE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE ITS REFLECTION TO OPINION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Legislative Office to provide to the Council of Ministers its reflection on the an opinion of the State Agency for Civil Service on new developments in connection with BIH Mine Action Centre manager Dušan Gavaran, following which the Council of Ministers will take decision on his future labour status.

 

 

EUR 4.7 GRANT

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information of the Directorate of European Integrations on a proposal package of applications for grant candidacy within 12^th call for submission of projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The State IPA coordinator is tasked to provide immediately applications from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the WBIF Secretariat, in conjunction to official applications submission by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to the DIPAK Office. The relevant projects are the following:: development of sewage collectors and waste water treatment facilities in Cazin (worth EUR 2 million); water leakages reduction in the Municipality of Tuzla (worth EUR 1.2 million); water supply and sanitation in Republika Srpska (worth 1.5 million).

 

 

GRADUAL ECONOMIC GROWTH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information of the Directorate for Economic Planning on 2015-2017 economic outlook, which suggests that due to expected economic growth  with BIH economic partners, BIH’s own economic growth might reach 1.8 per cent in 2014, and 3.2 per cent in 2015.

The expect gradual strengthening of economic growth in the euro-zone and its surrounding should enable further gradual strengthening of BIH economy with4.1 per cent growth rate in 2016 and 4.6 per cent in 2017.

 

 

CoM REALISED 97 EPR CENT OF ITS CONCLSUSIONS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH realised 29 per cent of conclusions adopted in the first half of 2014, reads a review of conclusions, prepared by the Secretariat-General of the Council of Ministers of BIH, considered at the session.

The Council of Ministers realised 227 out of total 248 conclusions in January-June 2014.

Ministries and other institutions deflecting from fully implementing the conclusions of the Council of Ministers are tasked to implement them fully and without delay, while activities should be stepped-up on the conclusions the realisation of which requires a longer time or cooperation with other institutions.

The realisation of the conclusions should be viewed as the priority for all Ministries and other institutions.

(end)