Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 92nd Session

DEFIEND NEW TEXT DRAFT BUDGET LAW OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a new text Draft Law on 2025 Budget of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations of BIH, to be passed by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to the BIH Presidency, authorised for proposing thereof to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly, which eventually adopts it.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury should secure in 2026 Draft Budget of BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH, within budget reserves, funds for cash reimbursements to employees in BIH Institutions not less than KM 200, with the belonging taxes.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury prepared the new text 2025 Draft Budget of BIH Institutions and international obligations of BIH after the previous Proposal Budget Law was not adopted at the 32nd urgent session of the Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives.

The total revenues, receivables and financing of BIH Institutions within 2025 Budget are KM 1,570,500,000, increased for KM 215,100,000 or 16 per cent relative to 2024 BIH Institutions Budget.

The total expenditures of BIH Institutions and foreign debt servicing are KM 2,797,273,016, out of which expenditures of BIH Institutions are KM 1,570,500,000, while BIH foreign debt servicing is KM 1,226,773,06, less for KM 203,960,037 or 14 per cent relative to the previous year.

The new Draft Budget Law supports, as a priority, continuation of reforms and fulfilment of requirements for the European Partnership and implementation of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement, as well as adjustment of programs of the Ministry of Defence and other institutions included into activities connected with the Partnership for Peace and other forms of cooperation with NATO. There are among priorities the planned budget resources for implementation of budget users’ multi-annual projects, as well as an increase of salary for secondary vocational trained employees.

Funds were also marked for the Central Election Committee of BIH for procurement of new modern equipment, and funds for cash support to employees in BIH Institutions.

Within the budget reserves, as high as KM 46,740,000, secured was KM 35,500,000 for cash support to employees in BIH Institutions in amount of KM 1,000 because the Budget had not been adopted timely, and salaries were paid based on 2024 base salary in amount of KM 600, instead of 2025 base salary of KM 631.50. The Council of Ministers will take a special decision on payment of cash support after adoption of the 2025 Budget Law. The cash support will not be for Deputies and Delegates in the BIH Parliamentary Assembly, BIH Presidency members, and Council of Ministers Chairwoman, Ministers, and Deputy Ministers.

CoMBIH AND GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO: COOPERATION IN EDUCATION, CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORTS

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Platform for negotiations on an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the United Mexican States on Education. Cultural, Youth and Sports Cooperation, and will send it to the BIH Presidency, while the Minister of Civil Affairs will act as the BIH signatory thereof.

With the conclusion of the Agreement a cooperation will be set-up between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the United Mexican States in education, culture, youth and sports, in accordance with endorsed international conventions and agreements and pursuant to both countries’ legislations.

Cooperation in education and youth implies implementation of activities contributing to knowledge enhancement through exchange of experts, publications and other education materials, and it supports students exchange in post-graduate programmes based on mutual consent by relevant high education institutions.

For the purpose of monitoring and coordination of activities foreseen under the Agreement, a Joint Committee for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports will be formed, coordinated by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. 

SIPA DEPUTY MANAGER APPOINTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed, in the second round of vote, Dragan Andrić for Deputy Manager of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), as the best candidate from the candidate list of an Independent Committee, as independent body within BIH Police Structure, after implemented public job vacancy procedure.

EUROPEAN ROAD: BIH ORGANSIED CRIME THREAT ASSESSMENT ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled 2025 Organised Crime Threat Assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a key document for meeting relevant international obligations and boosting institutional credibility on the European road.

By the adoption of the strategic document, Bosnia and Herzegovina reaches alignment with European standards, thus confirming clear commitment for an active and effective share in global combat against organised crime.

Although 2020-2023 analysis of the organised crime situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina indicated at a slight decrease of total number of registered criminal acts, activities of organised crime groups show an increase in intensity, sophistication and mutual connectedness.

Therefore, the Task Force for drafting 2023-2026 Strategy for Combating Organised Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina analysed in detail and ranked threats the organised crime may pose, prioritising those areas having the largest eventual adverse impact to society, economy and state security. Among these threats there are illegal production and marketing of narcotics, smuggling and human trafficking, economic crime, corruption and money laundering, cybercrime, illicit arms trade and potential connection with terrorism.

A successful fight against these threats includes an integrated, coordinated and pro-active approach by responsible institutions, with boosting international cooperation, modernisation of inspection methods, systemic data exchange  and increase institutional resilience to corruptive influences.

A resume of organised crime threat assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025 will be posted at the Ministry of Security of BIH web site.

ANNUAL PLATORM FOR 2026 INTELLIGENCE-SECURITY POLICY

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Annual Platform on Intelligence-Security Policy for 2026, to be sent to the BIH Presidency by the Office of Chairwoman.

The Annual Platform in Intelligence-Security Policy contains main features of the Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) operations in accordance with relevant international practice.

This way, the annual operations of OSABIH are guided, including their tasks, aim, and priorities.

The guidelines for annual OSA operation stem from a necessity to secure Bosnia and Herzegovina values and interests.

INTEGRATED BORDER MANAGEMETN: COORIDNATION BODY FORMED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision on setting-up a Coordination Body for strategic and operative aims implementation monitoring, set forth under 2025-2029 Integrated Border Management Strategy and Action Plan.

The appointed members of the Coordination Body are representatives of state Ministries of Security and Foreign Affairs, Border Police, Indirect Taxation Administration, Foreigners’ Affairs Service,, Veterinary Office, Phytosanitary Administration of BIH, and Entity and Brčko District Administrations for Inspection Operations.

Under the Decision, the Coordination Body will be obliged to Report to the Council of Ministers of BIH annually on the Strategy and Action Plan aims implementation.

An earlier adopted Strategy and Action Plan were harmonised with the European Parliament and Council 2019 Decree on the European Border and Coastal Guard, and they are complementary to OSCE border security and border management concept.

CONSENT TO APPOINTMENT

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to appointment of Colonel Tero Savonen to the post of Defence Attaché of the Republic of Finland for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his seat in Vienna.

PRICE INCREASE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES IN BIH INSTITUTIONS

The Council of Minister of BIH took a decision to grant its consent to the General Affairs Service of Institutions of BIH to a price list of food and beverages in facilities of BIH Institutions.

The new price list was harmonised with recommendations of the Audit Office of BIH Institutions, so prices were increased and corrected of food and beverages in the General Affairs Service of BIH Institutions.

This way, a price increase of inputs, among them predominating are flour, vegetable oil, rice, frozen products, vegetables and fruits, and meat products, participating with more than 90% in the price structure, will be compensated in formation of end-product prices.

The application of the new price list should yield revenue increased for about 35 per cent.