Press Releases
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 155thSession
09/26/2018
Vijeće ministara Bosne i Hercegovine
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office, to adopt a Strategic Framework for the Public Administration Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018-2022, with an accepted correction by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, made for the purpose of more effective use of financing resources.
Thus, one more aim from the revised Action Plan for implementation of the Reform Agenda was fulfilled.
The adoption of the Strategic Framework of public administration is the obligation stemmed from the accession process within which the European Commission, through its enlargement strategy and progress reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasised a need for adoption of a whole-state strategy for public administration reform.
The Strategic Framework is based on key principles of public administration, developed by SIGMA, upon a request by the European Commission.
This strategic document defines the aims of the Council of Ministers, Entity and Brčko District Governments in the area of public administration. A more rational, coherent, effective and accountable public administration is meant to be created at every level of governing authority.
The Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office will send an Action Plan for the Strategy implementation to the Council of Ministers of BIH within six month-time.
“ZENICA-TRILOGY” PROJECT TO REPRESENT BIH AT VENETIAN BIENNALE
The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed a proposal of the Ministry of Civil Affairs for representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 58th Venetia Biennale of contemporary Art 2019 by a “Zenica-Trilogy” Project by an artist Danica Dakic. The institution-organiser will be the Public Institution Museum of Contemporary Art Ars Aevi Sarajevo and commissioner-curator team, will be comprised of Anja Bogojević, Amila Puzić and Claudia Zini.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs, will send a letter, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Venetian Biennale administration, to show its interest for BIH participation at the Venetian Biennale of Contemporary Art 2019, to be financially supported by the Council of Ministers of BIH.
The representation of BIH at the Venetian Biennale will include the BIH Embassy in Italy in its full capacity.
The Venetian Biennale is the oldest and most prestigious international exhibition of contemporary art in the world, taking place biannually, each odd year.
ENDORSED ANNEXT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN BIH AND NORAY: FURTHER SRENGTENING OD COURTS AND HIGH JUDICIAL PROSECUTORIAL COUNCIL
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a proposal Annex V to the Agreement concluded between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Norway on financing projects benefitting judiciary and/or courts and prosecutor’s offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For the realisation of the “Improvement of Judiciary Quality” Project, the High Judiciary and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) prepared the Annex V to the earlier concluded Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Norway, to create conditions for continuation of the project and further strengthening of courts and the HJPC in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The “improvement of Judiciary Quality” Project will be implemented through a trilateral cooperation with the Court Administration of Norway and Court Judicial Council of Netherlands and targeted courts on Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Proposal Annex will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council was proposed for the BIH signatory.
MIGRANT SITUATION: INCREASED STATE BORDER SURVEILANCE CONTINUES
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information by the Ministry of Security on the state of affairs in the area of migration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, concerning an increased inflow of migrants to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stressed that their number in BIH was decreased and the state border surveillance continued, in addition to activities taken for the migrants accommodation arrangements.
The Foreigners’ Affairs Service registered 15,116 illegal entries, in the period January 1 - September 23, 2018. Among migrants¸13,101 said they intended to seek asylum, while 1,103 migrant applied for asylum. The most of migrants came from Pakistan (5,163), Iran (2,196), Syria (2,088), Afghanistan (1,480), and Iraq (1,369).
Some estimates suggest that there between 1,500 and 2,000 migrant currently staying in BIH.
The “Ušivak” military barracks in Hadžići is prepared for the accommodation of migrants, while in the “Sedra” Hotel, migrant families with children were accommodated. Works are on-going to create conditions for accommodation of a larger number of migrants in a students’ accommodation centre in Bihać, where the migrants are currently staying. Intensive activities are in place for solution-finding with authorities in Velika Kladuša concerning a temporary accommodation of migrants in the Agrokomerc company facilities.
CONDITIONS MET FOR OPERATION OF BIH TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, on appointing members of the Trade Facilitation Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Trade Facilitation Committee was set-up under a Council of Ministers decision this May, in accordance with an Action Plan for Western Balkans and framework implementation of the Reform Agenda.
The Committee includes representatives of competent Ministries and institutions at the level of BIH, Entities and Brčko District, including representatives of Foreign Trade Chamber of BIH and Entity and Brčko District Trade Chambers. The Committee will be chaired over by Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mirko Šarović, and his deputy will be Director of the Indirect Taxation Administration Mirko Đakula.
For the sake of a better dialogue with entrepreneurs in BIH, the Committee will work on further simplification and harmonisation of customs and other border procedures, in compliance with international standards.
BOOSTING COOPERATION WITH TURKEY IN SALES AND ITC
The Council of Ministers defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in research-development activities in the area of trade and information technologies between the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH and Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Turkey.
This way, the two Ministries strengthen their cooperation in road, railway, air and maritime transport, as well as in information and communication technologies by way of development of programmes and projects. Bilateral consultations the future cooperation would include joint trainings, technical assistance and mutual visits.
The Proposal Memorandum will be provided to the BIH Presidency, and the Minister of Communications and Transport was proposed for the BIH signatory.
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ADVISORY BODY FOR COOPERATION WITH NGOs TO BE SET-UP
Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Justice, the Council of Ministers took a decision to set-up an Advisory Body of the Council of Ministers of BIH for cooperation with non-government organisations.
This is the continuation of activities for the creation of favourable environment for development of civil society, as a follow-up of November 2017 Agreement on Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and NGOs in BIH.
The Advisory Body will improve the cooperation with NGOs and enable, among other things, their inclusion in creation of public policies from the competence of the Council of Ministers, which refer to development of the sector.
Representatives of NGOs, scholars, individuals experienced in creation, monitoring and implementation of public policies of importance for the creation of favourable legal, institutional and financial environment for NGOs in BIH may be appointed into the Advisory Body.
The five-member Advisory Body, will be appointed by the Council of Ministers of BIH upon a proposal by the Ministry of Justice, which will set-up criteria and publish an ad for members.
INSTITUTIONAL OPERABILITY OF APPELLATION COUNCIL TO BE SECURED
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Justice, on establishing an Appellation Council under the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for solving claims at the second-level administrative procedures.
The Appellation Council will act as the Council of Ministers’ body with a status of a legal person, in order to secure its institutional operability.
The Council of Ministers will appoint three members of the Appellation Council upon a proposal of the Ministry of Justice, for a four-year term, in compliance with the Law on Ministerial Appointments, Appointments of Council of Ministers and Other Appointments in BIH.
Appointment into the Appellation Council requires completed law school and at least five years of experience in administration or judicial institutions, after passed judicial exam.
ON-GOING ACTIVITIES FOR PREPARATION OF EBRD GOVERNORS MEETING IN SARAJEVO IN 2019
The Council of Ministers of BIH welcomed once again the holding of EBRD Governors annual meeting, to take place in Sarajevo in May 2019, which will gather EBRD Governors from around the world, in addition to a number of businessmen.
Earlier, the Coordination Body for Monitoring and Coordination of Activities for Organisation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development meeting in 2019 in Sarajevo briefed the Council of Ministers on the activities taken and planned, as well on the cost estimate, so that appropriate conclusions were taken aiming continuation of prearrangements for this holding of this important meeting.
TO INTRODUCE ROMA LANGUAGE TO SCHOOLS AND IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE OF ROM CULTURE AND HISTORY IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH, adopted the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees-proposed Framework Action Plan on Education Needs of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018-2022.
The Framework Action Plan defines three aims and 15 measures for introduction of Roma language to school curricula in BIH, and improves the process of learning on Roma history and culture. The funds will be secured from the BIH Institutions budget.
According to the Plan, contents about Roma history and culture should be included into the existing school curricula and textbooks, and Roma language introduced as a facultative subject, or some alternative solutions should be sought.
ACTION PLAN REALISATION FOR BIH ANTI-ORGANISED CRIME STRATEGY IMPLEMETNATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Report of the Ministry of Justice on activities taking under an Action Plan for implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2017-2020 Anti-Organised Crime Strategy.
According to the Report, courts in BIH completed 24 cases in 2016 and 2017, in which 40 persons were legally convicted for criminal acts of organised crime.
Before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 13 finalised cases 23 persons were convicted. In the same period of time, in Republika Srpska four cases were completed in which five persons were convicted, while courts in the Federation of BIH completed seven cases, convicting 11 persons.
According to the analysed data, courts did not use repression, which the legislation allows, and in 90% cases they imposed sentences below prescribed minimal sentence for such criminal acts.
Such practice, under the Report, will not yield expected results against the organised crime, despite the fact that legislation sharply condemns criminal acts of organised crime, proving such attitude by prescribing rather serious sanctions for the perpetrators.
EXPORT INCREASED FOR 12%
Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, the Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Analysis of Foreign Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina for January-June 2018.
According to the Analysis, the referred period saw the export from BIH in amount of KM 5.83 billion, as it was increased for over KM 600 million or about 12 %, relative to the same period of 2017.
The total volume of foreign trade exchange for the first half of this year was KM 15.7 billion, which represents an increase of 10%, relative to the same period last year.
The rate of coverage of import by export increased for two per cent. Foreign Trade deficit was KM 3.50 billion, or two per cents more than in the same period last year. In this period of time goods worth KM 9.43 were imported, which is eight per cent more than in the same period last year.
The European Union is still our main foreign trade partner with total goods exchange volume of 65%, followed by “CEFTA 2006” countries with 14%, while other countries account for 22%.
The share of export to the European Union was 73% of total BIH export, and import from the EU countries was 60% of total BIH import, and in the reported period of time a fall of trade deficit was 10%, while the increase of export to this market was 13.5 % in relation to the same period last year.
Among trade partners, the major coverage of import by export was marked with Austria (145%), Slovenia (113%), Croatia (81%), Germany (77%), Hungary (64%), Italy (62%), Serbia (57%), and Turkey (45%). Other than these countries, significant trade partners to BIH are the USA, Russia and China, but the coverage of import by export with these countries is small, with the USA 12%, Russia 9% and with China 3%.
In the first half of this year, BIH exported mostly to Germany, Croatia, Italy, Serbia, Austria, Montenegro and Turkey.
TO IMPROVE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION OF BIH CHILDREN ABROAD
The Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina will intensify their activities for the improvement of additional education of children of Bosnia and Herzegovina emigrants.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will set-up a registry of complementary schools and report the activities undertaken to the Council of Ministers within 60-day deadline.
This was concluded after the Council of Ministers took note of an analysis of costs of complementary education of children of BIH emigrants, prepared by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The analysis showed that the complementary education and lessons of mother tongue abroad was organised differently by countries, and there are no compiled data on the total number of complementary schools, number of pupils or financial costs.
According to the data analysis received from several European and overseas countries, mother tongue lessons were the best organised in Austria and Sweden. However, from these and other countries, a request was received for more intensive inclusion of BIH institutions in the improvement of complementary schooling and increased mother tongue lessons.
PROCEDURE UDNERTAKEN FOR APPOINTMENT OF CRA COUNCIL
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined and will send to the Parliamentarian Assembly for adoption a Proposal Decision on establishing an ad hoc BIH Parliamentarian Assembly Committee for the implementation of procedure of appointing of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Communications Regulatory Agency Council.
The six-member Committee includes one representative from each the House of Representatives and House of Peoples of the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH, Ministry of Communications and Transport and from thee associations dealing with the subject.
The Committee will publish an ad and after the procedure taken, will make a list of 14 most successful candidates and send it to the Council of Ministers.
CONSENT IN PLACE FOR APPOINTMENT OF US DEPUTY MILITARY ATTACHE IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent for appointment of Hyrum L. Garvin for Deputy Military Attaché of the United States of America in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
VOTE BY CITIZENS OF ROMANIA IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent for organising the voting of citizens of the Republic of Romania in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 6 and 7, 2018, on the occasion of a referendum on revision of the Constitution of Romania.
The balloting will be organised in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Romania in Sarajevo in time between 8.00 am and 9.00 pm.
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