Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds its 78th Session

CoMBIH: IMPORTANT PROBLEM SOLVING FOR TRANSPORTERS 

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH will reflex at its first next session on a piece of information tabled by the Ministry of Communications and Transport on issues faced by transporters/drivers, after it gets supplemented by proposals from today’s session.

A solution to this important issue is focused to an exemption of drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina from a provision limiting their stay abroad during international road transport of goods and passengers, namely evidencing their stay as a transit, not stay, thereby stopping an unequal position of transporters from BIH in both regional and international context.

Minister of Communications and Transport Edin Forto will raise the issue of limited stay of transporters/drivers at the next meeting of the Western Balkan Ministers of Transport, scheduled to take place in Belgrade on May 16, 2025 in organisation of the Transport Community, where he would emphasise the importance of regional approach in solving this relevant issue.

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered the subject pieces of information last June and November, and although responsible Ministers initiated and continue to have bilateral activities with the European Commission responsible bodies, the issue remains outstanding, and control of drivers from BIH in the EU is getting additionally complicated ahead of the Entry/Exit System (EES), announced to be introduced in end this year.

The Council of Ministers had reminded earlier at a consistent implementation of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement between the European Community countries and Bosnia and Herzegovina Article 59, which defines, inter alia, extension of transport services in road transport based on effective application of principle of non-discrimination and gradual harmonisation of BIH transport legislation with the EU acquis, which is continuously done by Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus fulfilling its relevant obligations.

BIH AND ALBANIA RECOGNISE MUTUALLY DRIVERS’ LICENCES

Today’s session defined a Proposal Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on Mutual Recognition and Replacement of Drivers’ Licences, for the aim of improvement of bilateral cooperation and development of overall bilateral relations between the two states.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Albania thereby recognise mutually valid divers’ licences issued by responsible bodies of the two contracting parties, within validity thereof, pursuant to national legislation. It enables BIH citizens temporary staying in the Republic of Albania to replace BIH driving licences under certain conditions without taking drivers’ exam.

An applicant should meet conditions as to age and provide a certificate of health fitness for driving motor vehicle or a group of motor vehicles within a certain category/sub-category.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport will send the Proposal Agreement with belonging Negotiations Report to the BIH Presidency for further adoption and signatory assigning procedure.

AGREEMENT RATIFICATION ON ACCESS TO HIGH EDUCATION IN WESTERN BALKANS

Two Ministry of Foreign Affairs-tabled Proposal Ratification decisions will be sent to the BIH Presidency, namely, an Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on Social Insurance and accompanying Administrative Agreement for its implementation, and Agreement on Access to High Education and Admission to Studies in the Western Balkans.

The Ratification of the Agreement on High Education and Admission to Studies in the Western Balkans, signed by Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Borjan Krišto in Berlin, in mid-October 2024, strengthens regional cooperation and provides a right to studying in each of signatory countries.

This regional Agreement is focused to recognition of secondary school qualifications for the aim of access and admission to studies at accredited public high education institutions in the Western Balkans.

The ratification of the Agreement on Social Insurance of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina working in Montenegro will provide protection of basic social rights, which contributes to strengthening of bialeral cooperation and friendly relations between BIH and Montenegro.

FREE ZONE GRADIŠKA

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled decision on defining a part of customs aera of Bosnia and Herzegovina as “Free Zone Gradiška”, in accordance with the Law on Free Zones in BIH and Law on Customs policy of BIH, along with an accompanying study on economic justification of forming a free zone.

A free zone is made of two territorially separate parts, namely, “Economic Zone Nova Topola” and “Business Zone Liman”, of total surface of 313.48 ha, the founder of which is the Town of Gradiška.

A free zone founder sends a business report each year to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

The decision was provided along with an expert opinion as to fulfilment of spatial, civil construction and ecological conditions for founding of the Free Zone Gradiška.

TO START PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE FOR LEASING MICROSOFT LICENCES

The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Ministry of Communications and Transport to start a public procurement initiative for leasing Microsoft licences for 2025-2028, taking regard of needs expressed by Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and USD currency rate at financial market.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury should secure required resources, in accordance with the Law on Financing of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A piece of information from the Ministry of Communications and Transport had been earlier adopted on the issue of starting public procurement procedure for leasing Microsoft licences for needs of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina over 2025-2028, which contains a plan of requirements for Microsoft licences over the indicated time span.

ONE MORE RECCOMMENDATION FULFILED: HEA BIH CLOSER TO FULL MEMBERSHIP IN ENQA

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to a Proposal Statute on Supplements to Statute of the Agency for Development of High Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HEA BiH), for the aim of fulfilment of recommendations for acquiring by of the Agency of a full membership with the European Association for Quality Assurance (ENQUA).

The Statute Supplements enable het Agency Steering Committee to select two members representing other stakeholders, including one from economy and practice and another representing students.

CONSENT TO MI-BOSPO MICROCREDIT FOUNDATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-tabled conclusion on granting consent to microcredit foundation MI-BOSPO for filling an application to the Council of Europe Development Bank for a programmatic loan for microfinancing sector, in accordance with Articles II and VII of the Council of Europe Development Bank Statute (Articles of Agreement).

The Council of Europe Development Bank grants a loan to MI-BOSPO microcredit foundation in amount of EUR 5.000.000 for a partial financing of its micro crediting for support to loan access to low-income earners, mostly women, including private households and micro enterprises.

MI-BOSPO microcredit foundation, as a borrower, bears a full repayment risk, financing risk with the targeted sector and ensures to creditor all needed coverage and guarantees for the loan approvement.

A consent granting obligation for investments implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Council of Europe Development Bank stem from Articles II and VII of the Council of Europe Development Bank Articles of Statute and it is connected neither to indebting by Bosnia and Herzegovina nor to issuance of public guarantees.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina should advice the Development Bank of the conclusion and send an application for loan.

CONSNET TO APPOINTMEENT

Upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a consent was granted for appointment of Colonel Aurelio Costa to the post of Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force Attaché of the Republic of Italy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his seat in Belgrade. (end)

Link for Photos:

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