Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 117th Session

RATIFICATION OF “SOUTH INTERCONNECTION GAS PIPELINE” CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined, in the second round of vote, a Proposal Decision on ratification of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Croatia on construction of “South Interconnection Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina Gas Pipeline.

The Agreement, signed by Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Borjana Krišto and Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković in Dubrovnik, on April 18, 2026, will enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to access liquid natural gas (LNG) through a terminal on the Krka Island, thus enabling diversification of supply and decreased dependence of our country on Russian gas.

The Proposal Decision will be sent to the BIH Presidency for further ratification procedure.

SWEEDISH GRANT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF JUDICIAL EFFECTIVITY

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-tabled Proposal Decision on ratification of a Contract on Grant Allocation between Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina for “Improvement of courts effectiveness and judges’ and prosecutors’ accountability in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase four”, financial contribution by SIDA No. 16824.

Under the Contract, signed by President of the Hight Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BIH, the on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, continuation of multi-annual cooperation with Sweeden is ensured, aiming to boost quality, effectiveness and transparency of BIH judiciary.

Within the fourth phase of the project, Sweden secures a grant of maximum SK 12.5 million (€1.09 million) for implementation monitoring evaluation

DRAFT DEVELOPMENT-INVESTMENT PROGRAM OF BIH INSITUTTIONS DEFINED

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Draft 2027-2029 Public Investments/Development Investment Programme was defined, for the aim of improvement of investment planning process and high quality investment decision-taking.

The Draft PIP/DIP of BIH contains data on total 292 projects, total worth KM 3 billion and 542.15 million, of which one billion 600.77 million refers to 140 projects in implementation, KM 88.59 million to 24 approved projects, and KM one billion and 852.79 million to 128 candidate projects.

BIH Institutions should up-date their project data, including amendments made in the process of BIH Institutions 2027 Budget drafting, following which the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will submit the Draft Programme to the Council of Ministers of BIH for adopted by Oct. 10, 2026.

VALUABLE GRANT BY HONORARY CONSULS OF BIH IN PAKISTAN

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and endorsed a letter of intent of honorary consuls of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a grant for development of Bosnia and Hercegovina Embassy building in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should, through the BIH Embassy in Islamabad, develop a Grant Contract to be signed by BIH Ambassador in Pakistan on behalf of BIH, with previously obtained opinion by the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH.

In the letter of intent, Honorary Consuls Asad Saleem, Ghani Majid and Danish Iqbal take responsibility for financing the whole project of development of a building complex of Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes drafting project documentation, obtaining all required approvals by competent bodies, and implementation and monitoring of works, including all other necessary activities until the hand over of completely constructed facility to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the sole proprietor.

Their proposal is not a sole infrastructure initiative, but a long-term strategic and symbolic investment to BIH presence in Pakistan. The complex will be built on a parcel of 2,468.88 m2 in the Diplomatic enclave in Islamabad. It is a parcel allocated to our country in 1994 for 33-year term, with a possibility for permanent extension (total 99 years) for the neds of development of both Embassy and residential buildings of BIH in Islamabad.

By development of the complex, an annual saving of about KM 120,000 would be made, against rend costs for the BIH Embassy building in Islamabad.

GROWTH OF IMPORT AND EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PORDUCTS IN 2025

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled Analysis of foreign exchange of agricultural-food products of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025, which suggest at an increase, primarily due to price rise of raw materials, energy and food at the global market.

The total volume of exchange reached record KM 6 billion and 536.63 million and is higher for 9 per cent relevant to the year before.

The export of agricultural-food products was one billion and 214 million KM or higher for 10 per cent, while import in 2025 was KM 5 billion and 311.58 million or 8 per cent more than a year before.

Irrelevant of an import growth, foreign trade deficit for agricultural-food products is still high, and in 2025 it was KM 4 billion and 108.53 million or 8 per cent higher than a year before. In the reported time, a slight improvement was noticed of coverage of import by export.

Regional and traditional linkage are still key for foreign exchange of agricultural-food predicts, having regard that about 42 per cent total export was placed at the European Union market, while38 per cent to CEFTA market, while 21 per cent of products were placed at other markets.

“PROSPECT” PGROAGRAMME AND “REVENTIVE” PROJECT IMPLEMENATION IN 2025

The Council oof Ministers of BIH took note of a piece of information in implementati9n of “Prospect” Programme of transition and care taking of released military personnel and “Prevention” Project of mental health and psycho-social assistance with the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of BIH in 2025 and supported continuation of activities in 2026 and years to follow.

In 12 years of in depended implementation of the “Prospect” Programme, rereleased were 584 individuals, pursuant to the Law on Service in Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby regulating seniority and length of military service of military professionals. The transition assistance covered 542 indiivduals (93..61) per cent as follows:  in the aera do small business there wee 329 projects or 60.7 per cent; in agriculture there 196 projects or 36.16 per cnet, while 17 projects or 3.14 per cent were in the area of education. Total KM 1,598,573 was spent too transition assistance.

There were 94 individuals in the transition; the transition assistance covered 47 individuals (32 assisted, 15 in the process), with KM 139,588 spent.

Total 3,604,691 is planned for 2026-2030 for 576 individuals to be covered under the Programme.

The Ministry fo Defence has been successfully implementing the “Preventive” Project for 10 years now, aiming mental health protection, psychosocial assistance and relaxation of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of BIH staff members. A Decompression Programme within the Project covered 17 members of the Ministry of Defence and 60 members of the Armed Fores of BIH last year, with KM 54,000 plus VAT cost.

TRGOVSKA GORA LEGAL ACTIONS REPORT

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Activity and Analysis Report by the Laborde Law, Paris-based Law Company, pursuant to Dec. 17, 2024 Engagement Contract on Trgovska Gora Issue, tabled by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

The Report gives a review of the taken and future legal actions at disposal to Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level for prevention of the Republic of Croatia to develop a centre for storing radioactive waste in the former military warehouse Čerkezovac on Trogivska Gora (The Municipality of Dvor) nearby its border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Due to Trgovska Gora issue and procedural omissions by the Republic of Croatia in the project implementation, Bosnia and Herzegovina had earlier initiated activities before several international bodies, such as ESPOO, Aarhuške and Bern Conference, as well aa before the International Committee for the Sava River Delta, and European Commission, and the relevant activities will be continued in future.

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Strategy of Protection of Legal Interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina as to the Issue of Storing Radioactive Waste and Depleted Nuclear Fuel at the Trgovska Gora Site, in October 2022, for the sake of protection of life and health of about 250,000 citizens in the area of the River Una Delta and Una National Park, holding numerous protected and threatened species and their habitats.

Special financial resources in amount of € 150k were defined, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to finance an international law company for the Trgovska Gora issue.

INDIRECT TAXATION ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED FIVE MULTI-ANNUAL PROJECTS

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Indirect Taxation Administration of BIH-tabled Implementation Report on Five Multi-Annual Projects.

The report refers to development projects for regional centres in Mostar and Tuzla, reconstruction of former Federal Customs Administration in Tuzla, facility purchase for Sarajevo Regional Centre, and development of the Bijača Broder Crossing.

Funds in amount of KM 39,330,421 were approved, while the total value of the completed projects was KM 39,312,006.

The unspent funds in amount of KM 18,414.48 were transferred from 2025 to 2026 at the Single Treasury Account and will be used for financing of BIH Isnitutuons.

PIECE OF INFORMATION ADOPTED ON IMPLEMENTATION OF BIH HIGH EDUCATION FRAMEWORK LAW

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs-tabled piece of information on implementation of the Framework Law on High Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025.

The piece of information is based on data collected from responsible Entity, Cantonal and the Brčko District of BIH education institutions, Agency for Development of High Education and Quality Assurance, Centre for Information and Recognition of High Education Documents, and the Rectors’ Conference of BIH.

The piece of information notes that the State Register of accredited high education institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina include 40 high education institutions and 185 study programmes, of which seven high education institutions and 48 study programmes were registered in 2025.

Uneven and incomplete data submission of responsible education institutions is still a challenge in drafting an annual report, suggesting that the relevant legal framework is still unharmonized in BIH, which makes the implementation of the Framework Law ibn High Education in BIH difficult.

The licencing and accreditation system runs smoothly, while the equivalence of earlier obtained academic titles and qualifications remains one of the least arranged areas.

For the aim of modernisation of the normative framework, and upon an initiative by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Rectors’ Conference of BIH initiated activities for development of a Proposal Amendments and Supplements to the Framework Law on High Education in BIH, which requires inclusion of all relevant stakeholders and consensus reaching.

BIH FULFILS ITS OBLIGATIONS: GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REPORT

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled First Bi-Annual Bosnia and Herzegovina Transparency Report, pursuant to the Paris Agreement (BTRI), and 2019-2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Bosnia and Herzegovina (NIP) were adopted, by which our country fulfils relevant international obligations.

By the ratification of UN Framework Convention on Climate change, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, Bosnia dan Herzegovina obliged to report greenhouse gas emissions and take measures and activities to contribute aims of the Convention.

By its first bi-annual transparency repot, it reviews relevant activities, situation and achieved results of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2019-2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Bosnia and Herzegovina followed previously drafted four Bosnia and Herzegovina climate change reports and three bi-annual greenhouse gas emission reports.

After 2025, greenhouse gas emissions in BIH show an oscillating trend, and are generally in an increase trend compared with the early 2000s but still decreased compared with the 1990s.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The Council of Minister of BIH adopted the Ministry of Finance and treasury-tabled Implementation Report on Public Finance Management Improvement Strategy for 2025 (GIP 2025.

Results achieved in all six strategic pillars, namely, fiscal framework, indirect taxation revenues, Budget planning, drafting and implementation, internal control, and external audit prove continuous progress.

The targeted values were reached fully or partially for 20 indicators, while three targeted values were not reached, and for five of them deadlines have not expires yet, since they are multi-annual activities.

Ten planned activities were completed last year, in addition to one more activity which was implemented, although not planned.

ADOPTED REPORT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry for Human Tights and Refugees-tabled Report on Freedom of Expression (FOE), and Free Access to Information (Freedom of Information, FOI) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represents a systematic step in compiling data and evaluation of the situation, pursuant to international obligations of the state.

The report confirms a wide legal framework in place, guaranteeing freedom of expression and access to information in BIH, while the major challenges are in implementation, institutional coordination and protection of rights in practice.

As to freedom of expression, it was confirmed that BIH has ratified key international conventions and that all-level constitution documents recognise the right. Developed regulatory infrastructure secures application of European standards in the area of surveillance over audiovisual contents.

Also, work groups were set-up and initiatives started for enactment of laws on transparency of media ownership and prevention of ownership concentration, which is an important result in harmonisation with the Council of Europe recommendations.

As to freedom of information, our country has developed law framework at the State, Entity and Brčko District of BIH levels. Certain mechanisms were introduced for a pro-active publishing of information, and by-laws were adopted which regulate in more detail public bodies reporting. However, a need for additional capacities was noted for the law implementation, especially in the part of accountable response to requests by citizens and media.

The report relays on reporting guidelines on freedom of expression and freedom of information, developed in cooperation with the Council of Euroep and coordination Work Group for monitoring and reporting FOE and FOI in BIH, coordinated by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees.

POLICE OFFICERS APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled the Police Officers Appellation Committee 2025 Activity Report.

The committee solved 118 appeals in 2025, among which 19 acknowledged, 93 rejected and nine demised.

Most of appeals, 73 of them, were from labour-legal status aera, while 33 of them were about promotion, and 12 dealt with disciplinary committee decisions.

The session adopted 2026 Actitivy Plan of the Police Officers Appeals Committee.

ISSUFICIENT COVERAGE BY IMMUNISATION AGAISNT CHILD PARALYSSI INCREASES RISK OF DISEASE REBURST

The Committee for Certification and Eradication of Poliomyelitis (child paralysis) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2025 Annual Report, tabled by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, was adopted.

According to the Report, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with insufficient coverage of immunisation is still among countries with a high risk of outburst and spreading of the disease in the context of stepped-up migrations and movements by citizens from the epidemiologically risky areas.

The coverage by the third dose of vaccine against the child paralysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025 was 67 per cent, which is a significant drop relevant to 2024, when the coverage was 79 per cent.

The importance of more effective monitoring and coordination strengthening among health institutions was underlined, along with implementation of education programmes and awareness rising, to respond systemically to growing misinformation which break confidence in vaccines.

SUSPICIOS MINE-CONTAMINATED SURFACES IN 2026 WERE 1.51% OF BIH SURFACE

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs 2025 Anti-Mine Action Report.

The Report indicates that as at Jan.1, 2026, the surface of subspecialty mine-dangerous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 774.69 m2 and in 2024 it was 822,87 m2..

The Mine-suspect surfaces was 1.51 % in early January this year.

The activities of non-technical general surveillance ere implemented in the area do 68.52 m2, realising 97% of the planned 70.50 m2 .

Last year, a mine accident took place, when a 19-yer old boy was killed.

IMPLEMENTATION OF CoM OF BiH CONCLUSIONS

A piece of information on implementation of conclusions of the Council of Ministers of BIH for January 1 – March 31, 2026 was noted.

The Council of Ministers Secretariat General piece of information covers 179 conclusions taken at 12 sessions held (9 regular and three extraordinary ones) in the QI this year, among which 148 conclusions were realised, 31 unrealised, with the realisation rate at 82.68 per cent.

The Council of Ministers points at a need of continued monitoring of realisation of conclusions and responsible fulfilment of defined tasks for the aim of improvement of effectiveness of operations and realisation of planned results of Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions.

DEMINING COMMITETEE FO BIH APPOINTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on appointment of members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Demining Committee, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, since the term of the incumbent members expires on July 31, 2026.

For members of the Committee for their two-year term appointed were Mijo Pranjić, Novak Vukajlović, and Mirsad Alibegović.

MEMBERS OF POSTAR TRAFFIC COUNCIL OF BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Communications and Transport report on implemented of a job vacancy procedure for selection and appointment of members of the Council of the Postal Traffic Agency of BIH.

For the four-year term of the Agency Council members appointed were Faruk Šahinagić, Radivoje Đerić, and Eduard Šakota., who was previously released from the duty of Deputy Manager.

Earlier released from duty of members of the Council due to term expiry were Armin karahmet, Ljuljana Erkić, and Nino Ćorić. (end)

Link for Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720334902445/