Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 112th Session

TO SOLVE ISSUE OF VISA ISSUANCE FOR FOREIGNGERS IN LINE WITH EU STANDARDS

The Ministry of Security briefed the Council of Ministers of BIH on urgency to repair biometric system, with the Ministry’s exert assistance, to solve the issue of visa issuance for foreigners.

The Ministry of Security of BIH’s piece of information on software operation for processing of biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature) of foreign citizens entering BIH will be considered at the first next session.

STRENTHENING OF COOEPRATION BETWEEN BIH AND SERBIA: NEW BORDER CROSSING POINT RAČA 2 – SREMSKA RAČA 2

The session adopted both a Negotiations Report for conclusion of an Agreement on Amendments and Supplements to the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia on Border Crossings and Draft Annex to Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia on Joint Points at Border Crossings for the joint point at Rača 2 – Sremska Rača 2 border crossing.

The Amendments and Supplements to the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia on Border Crossings define both category and status of the new joint border crossing Rača 2  -Sremska Rača 2 for the purpose of improvement of mutual relations and cooperation between the two countries, securing conditions for smoother crossing and more effective border control.

The new international joint border crossing Rača 2 – Sremska Rača 2 will be opened for transport of passengers and all kinds of goods, taking regard of the European Union relevant standards referring to border crossings and joint border control.

Delegations of BIH and the Republic of Serbia finalised their negotiations this March.

The Ministry of Security will pass the Report and Proposal Anex to the BIH Presidency for further legal procedure of adoption, with a proposal for Deputy Minister of Security to act as BIH signatory thereof.

ENDORSED BIH ACCESSION TO CoE PROTOCOL ON PREVENTION OF TERRORISM

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Platform for starting procedure for accession to a Protocol on Amendments and Supplements to the Council of Europe Convention on Prevention of Terrorism will send to the BIH Presidency to further procedure, with a proposal for Deputy Minister of Security to act and the BIH signatory thereof.

Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Protocol, which advances legal framework for countering terrorism, represent an important step towards further harmonisation of domestic legislation with modern international standards and strengthening of international cooperation in prevention of terrorism.

Bosna and Herzegovina ratified the Council of Euro4pe Convention on Prevention of Terrorism in 2008 and the Additional Protocol to the Convention in 2017.

ADDITIONAL EUR 5.52 MIL. LOAN FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Amendment No.1 to Finance Agreement – Rural Entreprises and Agricultural Development Project (READP) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with platform for its conclusion, with a proposal for the Minister of Finance and Treasury for BIH signatory thereof.

The Amendment, worth EUR 5,520,000, secures additional financing and continuation of successful IFAD’s 2021 READP project, totally worth EUR 11.5 million, which secures stability of initiated processes in rural areas.

The funds are directed to strengthening market competitiveness of small agricultural producers and their integration into commercial value chains, improvement of social inclusion and employment, as well as support to strategic sub-sectors (fruits, vegetables, bee honey, medical herbs), which boosts domestic production.

The loan was allocated to Republika Srpska – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Agricultural Project Coordination Unit, with 20-year term and 5-year grace period.

CoM BIH STARTS ACTIVITIES FOR ACCESSION TO HAGUE CONVENTION ON COURT SELECTION

The Ministry of Justice-tabled Proposal Platform for accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to 2005 Hague Convention on Court Selection, for the aim of harmonisation of domestic legislation with international standards in international private rights.

By acceding to the Hague Convention, Bosnia and Herzegovina confirms its dedication to legal harmonisation by way of strengthening framework which is being harmonised with the European Union legal systems.

BIH will simplify procedures of recognition and implementation of court decisions taken by courts selected based on a Contract on Court Selection, which would contribute to decrease of costs and shortening of time of disputes. In a wider social context, Bosnia and Herzegovina will strengthen its international position and increase investors’ confidence in BIH legal system.

The Ministry of Justice of BIH will send the Hague Convention on Selection of Court 2005 text  and Platform for Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Convention to the BIH Presidency for further legal procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the signatory thereof.

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIAONL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Decision on ratification of five conventions and one protocol of the International Labour Organisation, to be sent to BIH Presidency by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further ratification procedure.

It is about the 1990 Chemicals Convention, 1988 Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1985 Labour Statistics Convention, 1979 Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1969 Medical Care and Sick Reimbursements Convention, and 2002 Protocol to 1981 Occupational Safety and Health Convention.

PROPOSAL DECISION ON RATIFICATION OF BIH – FRANCE AGREEMENT

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Decision on ratification of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of France on issuing permits for paid work to family members of official mission staff of one country in the other one.

The Agreement was signed on March 20, 2026, by BIH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković on behalf of BIH.

BIH RATIFIES SECOND PROTOCOL ON DETECTION OF IT PROOFS

The Council of Ministers od BIH defined a Proposal Decision on ratification of the Second Additional Protocol to Convention on Computer Crime and Advanced Cooperation in Detection of Electronic Proofs, to be sent to BIH Presidency for further procedure.

By accessing to the Second Additional Protocol, Bosnia and Herzegovina is enabled to use the new important mechanism for better cooperation in cross-border accession to electronic proofs. It will facilitate cooperation by inspection bodies in detection and collection of electronic proofs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the Convention on computer crime, together with the First Additional Protocol, thus harmonising significantly the relevant legislation.

CURRENT RESERVES: KM 650,000 FOR ZVORNIK, GORAŽDE AND KREŠEVO

The Council of Ministers of BIH took several decisions approving current budget reserve funds for the Towns of Zvornik, Goražde and Municipality of Kreševo, upon the Minsitry of Security’s proposal.

Under the decisions, the town of Zvornik was approved KM 200,000 for rehabilitation of a part of landslide in the Community of Branejvo, KM 300,000 was approved for reconstruction of a facility used by the Cantonal and Town Civil Protection of Goražde, and KM 150,000 was approved to the Municipality of Krševo for rehabilitation from landslides in the community of Kojsina.

APPROVED ENTRANCE OFCHILDREN TO BIH UDNER SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision to approve an organised entrance and stay in BIH under special conditions.

It is about 614 citizens of the Republic of Serbia, primary school children without valid travel documents from Kosovo and Metohija to stay in BIH in excursion on June 19-27, 2026.

The Council of Ministers of BIH responded to a request of Banja Luka-based Humanitarian Organisation “Support Group for Kosovo and Metohija” for support in organisation of arrival of pupils to be accommodated with local communities in Republika Srpska.

POLICE BONUSES FOR BIH BORDER POLICE OFFICERS

Upon the Ministry of Security’s proposal, a decision was taken on amendment of decision on the level of special salary bonuses to police officers with police bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina and civil servants in the State Investigation and Protection Agency engaged in operative-investigation operations, against the background of adoption of a new Rulebook on Internal Organisation of BHIH Border Police.

Under the new Rulebook, reorganised are certain organisation units of the BIH Border Police, systematised new and amended existing work posts of police officers.

Under the amended decision, these work posts are allocated defined special bonus ranging from 32% to 36% to basic salary, taking regard of specific risks, high level of responsibility and complex work conditions.

AMENDMENT NAD SUPPLEMENT TO DECISION

The session took a decision on amendment and supplements to a Decision on bonus to salary to employees with the Indirect Taxation Administration of BIH, based on previously taken decision of the Council of Ministers of BIH on criteria for defining bonus to salary based on performance of complex informatic-applicative operations in Institutions of BIH.

The amended decision enables officers to implement their right – because of change of post - to 18%to20% bonus due to performing complex informatic-applicative operations with the Indirect Taxation Administration of BIH.

LAST YEAR’S BUDGET EXECUTION REPORT

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the 2025 Bosnia and Herzegovina Institutions Budget and International Liabilities Execution Report to be sent to BIH Presidency and Parliamentary Assembly of BIH.

The Budget Execution report will be posted at web sites of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and of Council of Ministers of BIH.

Financing of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 11 months of 2025 was based on quarterly instructions on temporary financing; the Law on Budget of Institutions od Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Liabilities of Bosnia and Herzegovina was taken on November 20, 2025.

The total realised revenues, receivables and finances of BIH Institutions in 2025 were KM 1,485,011,858, of which revenues from the single Indirect Taxation Administration account amounted to KM 1,020,500,000.

Adding KM 120,000,000 for implementation of an OHR decision to KM 1,485,011,868, total revenues, and receivables last year amounted to KM 1,605,011, 969.

The total realised expenditures and costs of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025 amounted to KM 1,294,075,794, with a decreased of public spending in BIH Institutions for about KM 25.9 million, relative to the year before.

Implementation of expenditures and costs of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina was added to implementation of special purpose current transfers for servicing financial obligations from final and enforceable court decisions based on the High Representative in BIH decision, referring to payment obligations as to final court decisions – liability against a final arbitrage decision ICSID – Viaduct, Ltd., in amount of KM 110,931,671 (liability of Republika Srpska), so total expenditures and costs amounted to KM 1,405,007,465.

In time between January 1 and December 31, 2025, all due labialise based foreign debt were timely serviced in total amount of KM 1,094,058,698.

INCREASED INTEREST FOR TEMPORARAY DECERASE OF CUSTOM RATES

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled report on application and effects of a Decision on temporary suspension and temporary decrease of customs rates for import of certain goods until Dec. 31, 2025.

The report provides a review of the decision beneficiaries which were enabled to have more favourable and competitive operation as economic entities in textile footwear, leather industries, as well as in chemical, food processing, graphic, wood processing and furniture industries, including electro industry.

According to the report, many beneficiaries increased their number of employees, production. revenues and export. Based on the decision, there were 22,487 new employees, while investments were KM 122.6 million, and total revenue was at least KM 2.4 billion. t significant improvement was made by metal, chemical and electro industries, including food industry, while a negative trend was marked with textile, footwear and furniture industries, due to  a crisis with the EU market.

From taking effect of the Law on Customs Tariffs, the Council of Ministers of BIH took 14 decisions on annual level on temporary suspension and temporary decrease of customs rates in import of certain goods, starting from 2013, when such decision included 28 tariff marks, and in 2025 there were 69, which proves the interest of economy for the decision.

Goods covered by the decisions are materials and raw materials used by domestic producers in their own production, but not possible to be purchased at domestic market in quantities and quality needed for production of final products.

CURRENT BUDGET RESERVE FUNDS APPROVED FOR TRAINING OF CADETS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to approve KM 243,000 from the current budget reserves to the Agency for Cadets Schooling and Expert Training.

Since a temporary financing of BIH Institutions has been continued in April-June this year, funds for food for new 220 cadets will be secured from this May, during their training with the Agency for Cadets Schooling and Training.

AWARD BY EUROPEAN COURT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of a piece of information from the Office of the Council of Ministers of BIH Agent before the European Court for Human Rights on an Award by the European Court for Human Rights in file Democratic Frant (DF) vs Bosnia and Herzegovina ap.No.8168/23 of January 27, 2026, posted at the Court web site on Feb. 3, 2026.

It is about a decision by the Court Council in which an application by DF was declared unanimously inadmissible for several reasons, namely, due to breaching a four-month deadline for tis submission to the Court, i.e. non-exhaustion of domestic legal remedies, and because the applicant failed to prove to have been a victim of violation of right protected under the Convention - it did not prove that the challenged aspects of election system have had a direct effect to it.

APPOINTED AD HOC MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE FOR AMICABLE DISPUTE SOLUTION

The Council of Ministers adopted a piece of information from the Chief Attorney’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina on an intent of initiating an arbitrage procedure in accordance with a Bilateral Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia in investment protection, which was sent by “Gajski, Grlić, Prka and Partners” Law Office, on behalf of the investor Jasnim Ćeman from Zagreb.

Also, a piece of information from the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH was adopted on a request for negotiations before starting an arbitrage procedure, sent by “Gibson, Duun & Crutcher” GmbH from Zurich, Switzerland, on behalf of the investor MI GALAMES, Ltd and his owner Draan Čićić.

The session adopted several decisions on appointment of ad hoc members of the Negotiating Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina for amicable solution of international investment disputes in this procedure.

Members of the ad hoc Negotiating Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina for amicable solution of investment disputes should take required activities, in cooperation with the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH, for the purpose of holding several meetings with investors’ representatives for the aim of considering possibilities of amicable solution of these investment disputes.

The Chief Attorneys’ Office should report regularly results of the negotiations to the Council of Ministers of BIH.

MANDATE EXPIRY AND APPOINTEMENTS

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Ministry of Communications and Transport on a mandate expiry to Director and Deputy Director – Manager of Operations, Technics and Services Sector of the Agency for Service Provision in Air Navigation of BIH.

The Agency’s Council should publish a public job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of Director and Deputy Director – Manager of Operations, Technics and Services Sector of the Agency.

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of a piece of information on a mandate expiry to Džemail Ćibo, managing civil servant on post of a secretary with special assignment with the Legislation Office of BIH, on May 22, 2026.

The Civil Service Agency of BIH should publish a job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of a civil servant for the post of secretary with special assignment with the Legislation Office of BIH.

The Council of Ministers of BIH released Bojan Babić from his duty of representative of the Council of Ministers of BIH before the European Court foe Human Rights, upon his own request.

Tihana Lolić was appointed acting representative of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina before the European Court for Human Rights, until the finalisation of a competition procedure, for three months, at longest.

The Council of Ministers appointed Adem Zolot for Acting Director of the Insurance Agency of BIH for a three-month term. (end)

Link for Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720334159858/