Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 91st Session

Upon the Council of Ministers Secretariat-General proposal,  2024 Activity Report of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted, with some corrections made at the session. The Report contains some of the most relevant results made in 2024.

The Report was drafted based on data from individual annual reports on results achieved by institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to fulfilment of the defined strategic aims and priorities of the Council of Ministers of BIH, contained in both the Strategic Framework of Institutions of BIH by 2030 and 2024-2026 Mid-Term Work Programme of the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The results confirm progress achieved in implementation of the main strategic aims focused on transparency, effective and accountable public sector, securing of sustainable and smart economic development, and equal opportunities society. The Report will be sent to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly.

FUEL MARKING

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the session-corrected Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-proposed Rulebook on Mandatory Marking of Fluid Oil Fuel, following standards of countries of the region and European Union member-countries.

An application of new technologies though system of marking of selected fuels imported, produced and marketed in BIH, should prevent marketing of low-quality fuel, to consumers ultimate benefit, and contribute to a decrease of dangerous emissions to protect both people and environment. Also, marking will supress grey economy and increase tax revenues, in addition to creation of equal opportunities for economic entities active in the fuel market.

The Rulebook regulates the marking to include unleaded motor fuel and diesel fuel, in line with the existing standards defined under the Decision on quality of fluid oil fuel.

Marker features are defined in detail in line with European standards, including ways of marking and checking harmonisation level of fuel with inserted markers, place and time of marking, in addition to controls of all marked fuel movement throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

REALISATION OF REVISED ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EUROPEAN COURT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Justice-proposed decision to set-up a Work Group for preparing a Draft Amendment to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the aim of implementation the European Court for Human Rights awards.

The Decision adoption implements the Council of Ministers of BIH conclusion from its 83rd session, of July 3, 2025, concerning the adopted Revised Action plan for implementation of the European Court for Hamn Rights awards in several cases, namely: Zorić; Sejdić and Finci; Pilav; and Pudarić vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Work group has 12 members, namely three representatives of the Council of Ministers of BIH (Davor Bunoza, Radomir V. Lukić and Albin Muslić), of the Parliamentarian Assembly House of Representatives and House of People (Mladen Bosić, Nihad Omerović, Predrag Kožul, Sredoje Nović, Marina Pedeš and Šefik Džaferović), two representatives of the Government of the Federation of BIH (Nerim Dizdar and Vedran Škobić) and one representative from the Government of Republika Srpska (Zlatko Knežević).

The Work Group assignments include, among other things, preparation of a Draft Amendment  Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be eventually sent to the Council of Ministers of BIH for an endorsement procedure and passed further to an adoption procedure to the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH, as pre deadlines defined under the Revised Action Plan.

ACCOMMODATION FOR PERMANENT MISSION IN UN IN NEW YORK

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on procedures implemented and tasks realised by a committee for purchase of a facility for accommodation of a diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in New York with a proposal of the most favourable bid.

The previously appointed committee proposed unanimously a purchase of a business premise at 633 third Ave, 38th floor, of total surface of 476.31m2 for USD 2,537,865.00 (KM 4,248,995.00). The premise meets all criteria for accommodation of the diplomatic-consular office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in New York, and the negotiated price fits the approved budget resources, including the space refurbishing, to be made without additional financial costs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget.

The sales contract will be signed by the Ambassador of BIH with the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in UN in New York.

REGISTRATION OF BIH PROPERTY

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on implementation of the Agreement on Succession Issues of Ex-Yugoslavia Annex B - registration of facilities of former SFRY in Montevideo, Oriental Republic of Uruguay - and tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make registration of the property as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ownership.

Earlier, the registered takeover of ex-SFRY property in Montevideo was wade – building of embassy/residence of ex-SFRY, between committees of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Serbia - and preparatory activities of the takeover were made.

It is about a facility of about 530 m2, developed on parcel of 920 m2, on the main sidewalk in the centre of Montevideo, near numerous embassies.

Earlier, at the Joint Committee for Distribution of Diplomatic-Consular Property of ex-SFRY meeting, the facility was agreed to belong to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

REGIONAL COOPERATION: PREVENTION AND SUPRESSION OF TERRORISM AND EXTRETMISM

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on a new Joint Western Balkans Action Plan for Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism and Violent Extremism, with a correction, and tasked Deputy Minister of Security of BIH Ivica Bošnjak to sign the Joint Action Plan on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a Ministerial Forum on Judiciary and Interior between the European Union and Western Balkans, in Sarajevo.

This confirms commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take an active part in regional cooperation processes and make further harmonisation with the EU acquis, its relevant standards and policies.

The Regional Action Plan will be implemented through adjusted activities at both regional and state levels.

NINETH MEETING OF EU-BIH SUB-COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information by the Directorate for European Integrations on holding of the nineth meeting of the Sub-Committee for Agriculture and Fishery between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be held on November 27 in hybrid format.

The Directorate for European Integrations will, in cooperation with responsible institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and services of the European Union, take all necessary activities for holding of the meeting, to discuss the implementation of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement in trade and market aspects.

The meeting topics include, among other things, agriculture and rural development, fishery, phytosanitary, veterinary and food safety areas.

Chair of Bosnia and Herzegovina Delegation Slobodan Cvijanović of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economci Relations will the available to media for inquiries as to the meeting.

CONSUMER PROTECTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF CEFTA DECISION ON ELECTRONIC TRADE

The session defined a Proposal Platform for endorsement and ratification of Decision by Joint Board of Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) No. 2/2024 on facilitation of electronic trade, adopted on Oct. 9, 2024, with the Decision text.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport will send the Proposal Platform with text CEFTA Decision to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BIH to act as the signer of related Instrument.

The Decision defines rules on electronic trade between parties in the CEFTA Agreement and sets forth a set of rules to provide relieves for economy and citizens. It practically streamlines the legal framework relevant to electronic trade and secures free movement of services of IT society, and harmonises key aspects of consumer protection, relevant to electronic trade, with standards adopted by the European Union.

PROCEDURES AND DIGITALISATION IMPROVEMENT IN ROAD TRAFFIC SECTOR

The Council of Ministers endorsed and will send to the BIH Presidency an Additional Protocol to the Contract for International Road Cargo Transport (CMR) Convention on Electronic Consignment Note, with a Proposal Platform for its conclusion, with a proposal for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BIH to act as the signer of the Accession Statement/Ratification.

The implementation of the Additional Protocol to CMR Convention will enable digitalisation of the existing (hard copy) travel documents. Which will simplify procedures, facilitate transport and cut costs to transporters, thus improving effectiveness and transparency in international transport.

The system, harmonised with international standards, enables faster document procession, reduces administrative costs, simplifies relevant processes and contributes to more control.

ACTIVITIES FOR TRANSPORTERS’ ISSUE-SOLVING

The state-level Ministries of Transport and Communications, Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, and Foreign Affairs, as well as BIH Indirect Taxation Administration, informed the Council of Ministers of BIH by several notes on activities taken for meeting requests by Consortium Logistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The pieces of information will be sent to the Consortium Logistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is about requests for finding appropriate solutions for issues encountered by transporters in BIH, dealing with international road passenger transport due to a restriction of stay in the European Union.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications finalised its work on three rulebooks, namely: on drivers’ licence and qualification card issuing for additional harmonisation with EU regulations; vehicle registration; and drivers’ licences. Today’s session adopted an Additional Protocol to the Contract on International Road Cargo Transport (CMR) Convention on Electronic Consignment Note, proposed by the Ministry of Communications and Transport, upon an initiative by the Consortium Logistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport elaborated in detail activities undertaken and noted 24 mandatory measures agreed under auspices of the Ministry with responsible customs and inspection services to the end of accelerating goods flow, decrease of unneeded delays and synchronised operation at all custom terminals in BIH, and a MoU on responsible inspection bodies cooperation was signed.

The Ministry proposed for September meeting of the EU-BIH Committee for Stabilisation and Accession a discussion, as apriority on the issues and challenges of BIH road transporters and professional drivers in the EU.

The Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) reported to the Council of Ministers activities undertaken on fulfilment of six requests by the Consortium Logistics, among which acceleration of customs procedures. The customs offices of Banja Luka, Gradiška, Šamac, Bijeljina and Sarajevo set up a special desk (reception office) for receipt of appropriate customs declarations. Also, the ITA has made a breakthrough in development and harmonisation of procedures, including further digitalisation and acceleration of procedures, as a condition for accession to relevant international conventions on customs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the European Union Delegation in BIH, pointing at the problem of restricted stay of professional drivers in the EU. It proposed amendment of the Decreee 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and Council for Exemption of Bus and Motor Cargo Vehicles Drivers from limited stay in the EU to 90 days in 180-day span. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke bilaterally with representatives of Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary. These three states may issue national long-term visas or stay permits for an extension of stay for professional drivers, but there has not been feedback for this time being on readiness of these countries to help solve the problem.

BIH INSTITUTIONS ACTION PLAN ADOPTED FOR IMPLEEMTNATION OF STRATEGY OF SUPPRESSION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Action Plan of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for implementation of 2024-2027 Strategy of Suppression of Human Trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Action Plan is a result of coordinated and inclusive cross-institutional process and open cooperation with all competent state-level institutions and bodies and with NGOs and representatives of international partners in implementation of strategic aims and measures contained in the Strategy, which is one among obligations in further European integrations process of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is an operative document defining activities to be taken by competent state-level institutions within clearly defined deadlines, implementation indices and required resources, while the Entity, Cantonal, and the Brčko District of BIH Governments will take their own action plans, in accordance with their responsibilities.

This way, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the EU candidate country, defines its proactive policy of suppression of human trafficking for a four-year time. Activities are directed to strengthening of legal and institutional framework and coordination mechanisms in combating human trafficking, including prevention, legal prosecution of perpetrators of criminal acts of human trafficking, protection and assistance to human trafficking victims, decrease of demand for services by human trafficking victims, and intensification of bilateral and multilateral international cooperation.

“PERSPECTIVE” PROGGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION CONTINUED

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on a multi-annual project of transition and care taking of released personnel from the Ministry of Defence of BIH and Armed Forces of BIH – “Perspective” Programme – and took a decision to continue the Programme to the end of 2030.

The realisation of the “Perspective” Programme for 2016-2030 requires total KM 3,604.691, including already approved KM 2,533,411.

The missing finances in amount of KM 1,071,280, as much as needed for the transition assistance for individuals to be released in 2026-2030, will be secured from the Ministry of Defence Budget annually, pursuant to annual dynamics of transition and release of personnel, and the remaining available/unspent resources from the previous time.

RATIFICATION OF BIH-UN AGREEMENT

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined and will send to the BIH Presidency a Proposal Decision on Ratification of an Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and United Nations concerning the Office of Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH.

IMPLEMENTATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGANING CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYEES IN BIH INSITUTTIONS

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Decision on implementation of right to reimbursement in time of temporary inability for work in BIH Institutions, in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Contract for Employees in BIH Institutions.

The Decision regulates that an employee has right to reimbursement during sick leave to 30 days in amount of basic salary for the previous month, and during the sick leave longer 30 days he has right to 80 % of basic net salary for previous month.

Exceptionally, in case relevant regulations at the place of payment of employee’s reimbursement regulate the right to reimbursement set for higher than 80 % and longer time, the employee has right to that reimbursement.

ACTIVITY REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATION WITH NATO

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Report of BIH Committee for Cooperation with NATO for Jan. 4, 2024 – July 31, 2025, containing information on meetings held, international activities implemented, and meetings and activities ahead.

According to the Report. the BIH Committee for Cooperation with NATO coordinated successfully all needed activities with competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the aim of exchange of information and provision of needed materials, including timely reporting on relevant issues. The Committee for Cooperation with NATO should continue activities for realisation of obligations stemming from its participation in the “Partnership for Peace” NATO Programme, and “Reforms Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina” document.

All institutions included into the Committee’s operations, as well as members appointed on behalf of these institutions, are obliged, in accordance with the Decision and the Committee Rulebook, to perform all prescribed tasks and activities.

SECURITY IMPROVEMENT OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE INFORAMTION SYSTEM

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision to approve KM 1,185,000-worth muti-annual project “Ministry of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina Information System Security Improvement”.

Funds for the project realisation will be secured by transfer from a multi-annual “Project of Ministry of Finance and Treasury information system up-grade with Modul of governing budget drafting procedure”, implemented in cooperation with the Delegation of European Union which donated a part of funds to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

The Project implementation term is Dec. 31, 2027.

PUBLIC JOB VACANCY AD FOR BIHDCA DEPUTY MANAGERS ANNULED

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Communications and Transport-tabled piece of information on a procedure for selection and appointment of two Deputy Directors-General of the Directorate for Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHDCA).

A public job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of two DCA Deputy Directors-General was annulled, namely, in sectors of flight safety and aviation safety (FSSD, and for aircraft navigation and airports (ANAD). The reason behind annulment was the fact that previously published public ad received just one registration, due to which no competition and transparency were secured, even more for it is about managerial positions which make a functional whole and require simultaneous vacancies filling.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport should publish a new job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of two managerial posts, in accordance with the Law on Ministerial Appointments, Appointments by Council of Ministers and Other Appointments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

RESIGNMENT ACCEPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH accepted a resignation by Deputy Director-General of the Directorate for Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHDCA in Flight Safety and Aviation Safety Sector (FSSD) Miralem Šabić, effectively as of October 31, 2025.

Šabić resigned due to end of his term of office and for personal reasons,

Asim Jukanović was appointed acting Deputy Director-General until the end of public job vacancy ad procedure, for three months at longest, starting from Nov. 11, 2025.

TO PUBLISH JOB VACANCY AD

The session adopted a piece of information on term expiry to Director of the Centre for Information and Recognition of High Education Documents, on Jan. 25, 2026.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BIH should, based on the Law on Ministerial Appointments, Appointments by Council of Ministers and Other Appointments of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in cooperation with the Centre for Information and Recognition of High Education Documents, publish and implement a public job vacancy ad and proceed with relevant selection and appointment.

SEVERAL THEMATIC REPORTS ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BH Adopted the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees-tabled Implementation Report of 2023-2027 Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Oct. 2023-Dec. 2024 reporting period.

Upon the Ministry’s proposal, three reports were also adopted, namely; on implementation of 2023 and 2024 Action Plan of 2021-2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina Strategy for Prevention and Fight against Terrorism; 2024 Implementation Report of 2023-2026 Strategy for Fight against Organised Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and 2024 Activity Report of Task Force for Combating Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigrations.

INCREASE OF PRODUCTION, IMPORT AND EXPORT OF MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Analysis on situation in milk and dairy products market in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2024.

According to the Analysis, total 601.7 million litres of row milk was produced in BIH, out of which 581.87 million litres of row cow milk, 11.94 million litres of sheep milk and 7.92 million litres of goat milk. The production of row cow milk was higher for 5 per cent, compared with last year’s production, while production of sheep milk is higher for 8.89 million litres or 291 per cent relative to the year before, and an increase of goat milk was registered for 29 per cent, relative to the year before.

About 9,000 producers in BIH produce milk for marketing, thus realising existential revenues for households partially or fully. The total quantity of milk and dairy products produced by diaries in BIH in the course of 2024 was 231.951 tonnes and an increase of total production for 9 per cent was noted, compared with the previous year.

As to the export of milk and dairy products to foreign markets, exported was 75 million kg of milk and other dairy products worth KM 145 million, which is more for 12 per cent compared with the year before, both in terms of value and quantity. Regardless of the increase of export of milk and dairy products, the foreign trade balance in 2024 was negative and reached KM 122 million and was higher for KM 22 million or 22 per cent relevant to the year before. So about 65 million kg of milk and dairy products worth KM 267 was imported to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, KM 38 million or 16 per cent more viewing by the value, or 13 per cent as per quantity of import. (end)