Press Releases
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 149th Session
07/18/2018
Vijeće ministara Bosne i Hercegovine
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted Information of the Minister of Security on the situation in the area of migrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning an increased inflow of migrants to our country and the activities undertaken, and stressed the necessity of implementation of all priorities from the Action Plan of urgent measures, with a consistent compliance to the BIH Law on Asylum and Foreigners.
The Operative HQ for Migration Issues of BIH will prepare for the next Council of Ministers session conclusions and appropriate resolutions for the sake of having future activities directed to further strengthening of border control towards Serbia and Montenegro, with increased police staffing, further prevention of illegal entries and increased actions by competent bodies concerning suppression of smuggling with migrants.
The BIH Mistier of Foreign Affairs will talk with his colleagues from the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro on modalities of strengthening of cooperation in the area of migrations.
Migrants from parks and streets in the Unsko-Sanski Canton should be transferred to a temporary tent accommodation centre at the Agrokomerc complex until a solution for their permanent accommodation is found, with international assistance in terms of provision of food and medical care.
According to the above Information, the Foreigners’ Affairs Service registered in the time span between January 1 to July 5 this year 8.081 illegal migrants, of which 7,424 said they intend to apply for asylum, while 686 of them have already applied. In the time period between June 28 and July 5, the Border Police registered 723 illegal migrants.
EUR SIX MILLION FEROM EC IPA FR SOLVING MIGRANT CRISIS
The European Commission announced it will set aside EUR six million from the 2018 State IPA Programme allocation for Bosnia and Herzegovina to fund assistance to our country in respect to migrant crisis.
The Council of Ministers took note of information from the Directorate for European Integrations concerning the European Commission response of to an application for consideration of EC assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the migrant crisis, of which
The European Commission proposed directing the support to three areas, namely, improved migrant identification and registration, their adequate accommodation, especially in the areas near Sarajevo and in the Unsko-Sanski Canton, continued provision of basic services, such as nutrition, health care, non-alimony products, security etc. The third area refers too support to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina for capacity up-grading for border control and supervision. The proposed support will be realised under a Special Measures Programme and under urgent procedure.
GRANT OF MORE THAN EUR 10 MILLION FOR RETURN OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement on grant between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe Development Bank for a Regional Housing Programme – BIH 5 (2017), worth EUR 10 million.
It is a sub-project, investment-subsidy grant within a State Housing Programme “Reconstruction of 50 family houses for local integration and reconstruction/construction of 500 family houses for return of refugees and internally displaced persons in our country”.
The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH is the leading institutions for the Housing State Project and referred sub-project, the implementation of which will be assigned to the Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees and Ministry for Refugees and Displaced Persons of Republika Srpska.
The proposal Agreement with Platform for its conclusion will be provided to the BIH Presidency, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury will be proposed for the BIH signatory.
FUNDS PROVISION FOR THREE NEW SECTIONS AT THE CORRIDOR V c
The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed an Initiative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and appointed a negotiating delegation for conclusion of a Loan Contract (Corridor V c Project in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – part 3) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, worth EUR 180 million.
The funds will be spent for construction of three new sections at the Corridor V c, namely, about 5.1 km long motorway between Poprikuša and Nemila, about two km long tunnel Ivan, and about 8.7 km long motorway with four lanes to be constructed in accordance with international standards, between Mostar Jug loop and Kvanj tunnel.
The Loan term is 15 years, including four year grace period, with allocation to the Federation of BIH (Public Company “Motorways of the Federation of BIH”).
AZERBAIJAN AND BIH INTENSIFY COOPERATION IN CULTURE, NATURAL DISASTER PROTECTION AND VETERINARY
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined several Proposal Agreements which strengthen cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Defined was a Proposal Agreement on Cooperation in Protection from Natural and Other Disasters between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The cooperation will, among other things, include education and training of active participants of rescuing operations, mutual assistance in case of natural and man-made disasters and mitigation of their aftermath.
The Proposal Agreement will be forwarded to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Security was proposed for the BIH signatory.
Also, defined was a Proposal Agreement on Cooperation in the Area of Culture between the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The two states thus incite and support cooperation by cultural institutions, including organisation of joint scientific conferences, exchange of students, professors and researchers, and will cooperate in the areas of protection, restoration, renovation and conservation of immovable cultural heritage.
The Proposal Agreement will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Civil Affairs was proposed for the BIH signatory.
A Proposal Memorandum on Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Area of Veterinary was defined and will be sent to the BIH Presidency, and the Minister of Civil Affairs was proposed for the BIH signatory.
BIH CoM: SALARIES IN BIH ISNTITUTIONS REMAIN SAME NEXT YEAR
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, took separate decisions on the level of base salary, as well as on the level of vacation emoluments for year 2019.
The base sum for calculation of salary to employees in BIH Institutions for 2019 will be KM 375.69, and vacation emoluments will be kept at the level of 2018, compliant to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016policy on curbing-up public spending on salaries and emoluments of employees in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to adopt a 2019-2022 Salary and Emoluments Policy in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Salaries and Emoluments Policy in the Institutions off Bosnia and Herzegovina will be linked to a fiscal strategy, which, among other things, imply the shrinking of public expenditures to the real framework and reduction of general public expenditures in GDP.
GOODS EXPORT MARKS TWO DIIGT GROWTH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Directorate for Economic Planning-proposed document “Economic Trends – 2017 Annual Report”, which indicates that the foreign sector marked the year 2017 when in question positive economic trends in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So, in 2017 Bosnia and Herzegovina made export of goods valued KM 11 billion, which represents a nominal increase of 17.4 per cent in relation to the year ago, while coverage of import by export increased for three per cent to reach 61 per cent at the end of the year. Viewed by main trade blocks, goods export to the EU market was KM 7.8 billion or 71 per cent of total BIH export, and was increased for 16.8 per cent. Also, export to CEFTA countries market was KM 1.8 billion, which represents 16.3 of total BIH goods export and was increased for about 28.5 per cent, relative to the year before. The value of goods imported to BIH was KM 18.1¸billion, which is a nominal increase for 12.2 per cent. Other than electric power and stone coal, significant contribution to export was registered in oil and oil products, raw aluminium and motor vehicles.
Foreign direct investments were increased in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 57.3 per cent, which is a notable result, as the global FDIs were lesser for 16.3 per cent, relative to the year before, despite the markedly increased economic growth. The 2.4 per cent investments growth applies to developing countries only, while transition countries mark a fall of investments for 17.9 per cent.
The average number of registered unemployed persons in BIH in 2017 was 489.4k or less for 6.1 per cent, relative to the same period last year.
AD FOR PRESENTATION OF “AWARD FOR SCIENCE” SOON
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, took a decision on criteria for allocation of funds intended for the current grant “Award for Science” for international achievements in 2017.
The rights to submit proposals for award is to academies of science and art, universities, scientific-research institutes, as well as to individuals, by way of Ministries responsible for science and the Brčko District of BIH Government. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will publish the advertisement for allocation of the “Award for Science”.
GRANT FUNDS FOR NGOs – PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND FAMILY VIOLENCE
The Council of Ministers of BIH, upon a proposal of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, took a decision on criteria for allocation of grant funds from the “Capacity Building of Institutions for Dealing with Gender-Based Violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina” Project to non-government organisations.
The funds in amount of KM 160,000.00 were secured from donor sources, based on an Agreement on Grant Funds for development purposes between the Government of the United States of America, represented by USAID, and Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, for more operational and accountable institutions and stakeholders working in the interest of citizens. The purpose of the grant is the support to NGOs dealing with prevention of violence against women and family violence and support to victims of this kind of violence.
The right to submission of project proposals for allocation of grant funds is to NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina dealing with the issues of gender equality and prevention and protection from gender-based violence.
The grant funds are be to be allocated by way of public call to be published at the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees web site, and in three daily papers distributed throughout BIH.
REVIEW OF PLANNED GOALS FOR COOPERATION BIH-NATO
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Defence Information on status of partner cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO within the Planning and revision Programme (PARP) in which BIH has been participating since 2007.
The “PARP/PG 2018 BIH Assessment” document, which NATO Council adopted in mid-June this year, covers the review of planned goals for NATO-BIH cooperation by 2024 and subsequent development of capacities and interoperability of forces designated for PfP activities. It includes training and exercises, as well as NATO-led operations, realisation of goals of Individual Partner Action Plan NATO-BIH, as well as conducted defence reform activities. It also provides a breakdown of adopted relevant documents in the defence system, as well as realisation of activities to-date in connection with activation of the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).
TO IMPLEMENT FISCALISATION IN BRČKO DISTRICT OF BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information on a need to implement the fiscalization process in the area of the Brčko District of BIH, prepared by the Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board.
The BIH Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board will address to the Brčko District of BIH authorities, including their representative in a capacity of observer in the Board, with a demand for urgent implementation of the fiscalization process in the District area. The introduction of fiscal cash registers in the Brčko District of BIH is expected to take place by January 1, 2019.
RULEBOOK ON MICROBIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR FOOD HARMONISED WITH EU STANDARDS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Food Safety Agency-proposed Rulebook on Amendments and Supplements to the Rulebook on Microbiological Criteria for Food with EI mark, as a certificate of harmonisation with the relevant European Union legislation.
The Amendments and Supplements decrease administrative burdens for stakeholders in food business, which enables domestic producers an equal treatment and increases their market competitiveness, in addition to allowing business making in accordance with international standards-aligned regulations.
HIGH LEVEL OF REALSIATION OF CoM CONCLUSIONS
The BIH Ministries, institutions and bodies of the Council of Ministers have realised total 170 out of 213 conclusions, reads a Review of realisation of conclusions of the Council of Ministers Secretariat-General, taken in January 1 – March 31, 2018; the Review covered 24 institutions.
Out of 43 non-realised conclusions, 35 are in the process of realisation, within the expected deadline set for their realisation.
The Ministries and other institutions failing to realise conclusions completely are responsible to implement them fully without further delay and to accelerate related activities requiring either a longer time for realisation or cooperation with other institutions for their implementation.
Every future realisation of the council of Ministers of BIH conclusions should get priority in all Ministries and other institutions, which will contribute to the effectiveness of the Council of Ministers of BIH.
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