Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 124th Session

SOLDIERS AGED TO 40 IN BIH ARMED FORCES OF IF PSCYHIC-PHYSICALLY FIT 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the reason of its harmonisation with a conclusion of the Joint Committee for Defence and Security of the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH in respect to duration of professional military service for soldiers.

The proposed Amendments and Supplements the duration of military service for soldiers is being moved from the current 35 years of age to 40 years of ae, by which BIH follows the practice of countries in the region. At the same time a procedure was set forth for in terms of fulfilment of psycho-physical standards, to enable a continued soldiers’ fitness for fulfilment of their assignments, which would, together with their attained experience, additionally strengthen the BIH Armed Forces.

The Supplements to the Law extend the duration of service for soldiers in reserve units, from the attained 35 to 40 years of age.

 

NEW DRAFT LAW ON POSLAT SERVICES TO BE TABLED TO CoM BIH BY END OF FEBRUARY 2018

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH to prepare and provide to the Council of Ministers by the end of February 2018 a new Draft Law on Postal Services of Bosnia and Herzegovina, taking care of the European Union recommendations.

This was a conclusion from the session when the Council of Ministers was informed of failure by competent institutions to reach agreement on the existing Draft Law.

 

TO SPEED-UP BORDER CONTROLS AND INTENSIFY COOPERATION BY BORDER POLICE OF BIH AND SERBIA

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined Proposal Basics for negotiations on an Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Serbia on joint sites at border crossings, with suggestions adopted at the session.

Under the Agreement, the two states want to improve cooperation of border police and simplify and speed-up border controls, for the benefit of citizens.

The purpose of the Agreement is more rational use of resources in control of cross-border traffic between the states and more effective realisation of joint measures, action plans against illegal migrants and all forms of cross-border crime.

The Proposal basics will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Security was proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

ACTIVITIES LAUNCHED FOR EXTENSION OF BIH MEMBERSHIP IN ECPGR

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed and will send to the BIH Presidency a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations for signing of a Letter of Consent for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a member of the IX phase (2014-2018) of the European Cooperation Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR), accompanied by the text Letter of Consent.

After the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations sign the Letter of Consent, a national coordinator and his deputy will be designated for the IX phase of the European Cooperation Programme for Plant Genetic Resources to year 2018.

By prolonging its membership, Bosnia and Herzegovina will cooperate with 43 member countries on preservation and use of herbal genetic resources for food and agriculture in Europe.

ECPGR was established in 1980, based on recommendations of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture and Gene Bank Board under the European Association for Research of Plant Growing.

 

CONTINUED HARMONSIATION OF REGUALTIONS IN VETERINARY PRACTICE WITH EU ACQUIS

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, on goods subject to inspection by border veterinary inspections, prepared by the BIH Veterinary Office.

By the decision, Bosnia and Herzegovina clearly defines competences as to kind of goods to be subject to border veterinary inspectors, in the process of harmonisation with the relevant European Union legislation.

The Decision defines procedures by border veterinary inspection concerning veterinary examinations of living animals, inspection of products of animal origin and other goods in international traffic across borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AS MOST IMPORTANT INVESTORS TO BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of an Analysis of direct foreign investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016-2017, with a comparative analysis of BIH and countries of the region in reports by international agencies, prepared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of BIH.

According to the first data, the direct foreign investments of KM 386.7 million this year increased for more than 66 per cent in relation to the same period last year, but final data are pending to verify this encouraging trend. Investments higher then KM 10 million were registered coming from Switzerland (KM 61.6 million), United Arab Emirates (KM 22 million), Serbia (KM 19.4 million), Slovenia (KM 15.5 million), and Kuwait  (KM 14 million).

According to the Central Bank of BIH, direct foreign investments in 2016 in BIH were KM 536.3 million.

The total direct foreign investments in BIH from May 1994 to December 2016 were about KM 13 billion, according to the Central Bank of BIH. Most of the foreign capital was invested into production sector (34 per cent), banking sector (24 per cent) and telecommunications (13 per cent). Although foreign investments from the Middle East are in a growth trend in recent years, the most important investors to Bosnia and Herzegovina are still the European countries.

 

CENTRAL HEATING FOR GENERAL NATIONAL MUSEUM

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the General Affairs Service of the BIH Institutions to take needed activities so that the General National Museum would be connected to the heating system of the BIH Institutions building for the 2017-2018 heating season.

This was concluded at the Council of Ministers of BIH session, at which, as in previous years, Information by the Ministry of Civil Affairs was adopted concerning a request by the General National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina for provision of central heating.

The General National Museum possesses almost three million items, which represent a part of total cultural and natural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which might be threatened due to inadequate temperature.

 

UNCHANGED AMOUNT FOR FOREIGNERS’ STAY IN BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry fi Security on minimum amount of funds needed for support during an intended stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in compliance with the Law on foreigners.

The decision defines that on entry to BIH in 2018 a foreigner has to dispose of KM 150.00 or equivalent in foreign currency for each day of his intended stay in BIH, which is the unchanged amount in respect to previous years.

 

FULFILMENT OF INTERNATIOANL OBLIGATIONS: TWO REPORTS SENT TO COMPETENT UN BODIES

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Sixth Periodical Report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Implementation of Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Women Discrimination (2013-2016), which will be provided by the Ministry for Human rights and Refugees to the Secretariat of UN CEDAW Committee via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – BIH Permanent Mission in Geneva.

The Report, drafted by the Ministry for Human rights and Refugees, contains information collected from more than 50 institutions of executive. Legislative and judicial authorities at the state, Entity and Brčko District levels, including form international and non-government organisations in our country.

Although the improvement in the process of removal of women discrimination in BIH society is notable for the period between two reports, especially in the promotion of legislative, institutional and political framework, the process is still open and related activities will be continued with a view at eliminating all forms of women discrimination and full establishment of institutional mechanisms of gender equality.

The Council of Ministers adopted an Initial report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Application of Madrid Action Plan for Elders, which will be send by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees to UNECE Committee via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The report contains an analysis of situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina on issues concerning the state of affairs of elders, including poverty, social and pension policy, heath care, inclusion in society, life-long learning, violence, and neglect and mistreating.

The report will be published at the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees web site.

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