Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 93rd Session

SWEEDEN CONTINUES SUPPORT TO JUDICIARY IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Grant Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweeden for Improvement of Court Effectiveness and Judges and Prosecutors’ Accountability in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project – Phase Four.

This continues a multi-annual cooperation between the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of BIH and Sweeden, resulting in a series of projects towards quality, effectiveness and transparency improvement.

Within the fourth phase of the project, aimed to improve judicial effectiveness and courts work quality, along with boosting accountability of holders of judicial functions, Sweeden wants to secure a grant up to SEK 12.5 million and additional SEK 775,000 for monitoring and evaluation thereof.

Upon a proposal of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BIH, the session adopted a piece of information on procedure of the Grant Contract conclusion between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Sweeden for the Improvement of Court Effectiveness and Judges and Prosecutors’ Accountability in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project

The Proposal Grant Contract with Platform for its conclusion will be sent to the BIH Presidency, with a proposal for BIH HPJC President Sanin Bogunić to act as the signatory thereof.

ACTIVITIES STARTED FOR DRAFTING BIH ECONOMIC REFORMS PROGRAMME 2026-2028

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Directorate for Economic Planning-proposed Activity Plan for Drafting 2026-2028 BIH Economic Reforms Programme, thus officially staring the drafting process of a document to be submitted to the European Commission.

This complex process requires a high-level coordination and harmonisation by responsible institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Directorate for Economic Planning, as the state-level coordinator and it is obliged to implement the Activity Plan of the 2026-2028 BIH Economic Reforms Programme, in cooperation with Entity coordinators and institutions under the Council of Ministers, in compliance with the European Commission Guidelines for economic reforms programmes of EU candidate and potential candidate countries, with application for relevant recommendations.

AGREEMENT RATIFICATION: BIH IN EU Ea SI PROGRAMME

Upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Decision on Ratification of an Agreement between the European Union, on one side, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other side, on participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in an Employment and Social Innovation Programme  (Ea SI) of the European Social Fund plus (ESF +), earlier signed by Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bošnjak on behalf of BIH; the Decision will be sent to the BIH Presidency.

Accession by BIH to EUR 762 million 2021-2027 Programme for member and candidate member countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, opens a wide spectrum of possibilities for boosting economic potentials and improvement of social policy.

The EaSI Programme may be applied to through open invitations by the European Commission for projects submission, by NGOs dealing with employment, inclusion and social issues, government institutions and agencies developing innovative solutions in social policy, local authorities wishing to implement employment support and vulnerable groups integration programmes, chambers of commerce, employers and entrepreneurs interested in improvement of work conditions and labour rights.

OLIVE GROWTH INDUSTRY INCREASES IN BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information tabled by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on membership in both the International Council for Olives and 2015 International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives.

The olive growth industry, although globally of small-scale, marks a continuous growth trend. The total surface under olives was increased from 142 ha in 2023 to 310 ha in 2024, and yield by ha remained stable and reached 3.5 tonnes.

Producers from Bosnia and Herzegovina made an extraordinary success in 2025 at the most prestigious world competition in olive oil quality - the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC), wining total six medals, four golden and two silver medals.

In September 2024, the Herzegovina extra virgin olive oil was officially declared autochthon product with its origin mark, i.e. protected origin, which is particularly important from the aspect of the product additional value and placement thereof at international markets.

Trends show that olive areas due to global warming move north wise. Olives give the best results and the highest polyphenol level on the edge of Mediterranean, where Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated.

Bosnia and Herzegovina took part for the first time at the International Olive Council (IOC) 119th plenary session in Madrid on Luly 25, 2024, where it was officially introduced as a new member of the organisation, which represents a key pillar in international olive growth industry.

BIH ANNUAL AGRICULTURE REPORT

The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed 2024 Annual Report on Agriculture, Food and Rural Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be passed to the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

It is a comprehensive document on situation in the agriculture-food sector and implemented measures of agricultural policy, including the levels of money earmarked as a support to lifting of production efficacy and domestic agriculture competitiveness.

Along with indices on macroeconomic ambience, represented were aggregate data on sown areas, volume and structure of agricultural production, total price of agricultural products and foreign exchange thereof, as well as of food safety, phytosanitary and veterinary protection. The Report also covered implementation activities in the context of European integrations and international cooperation.

BUDGET RESERVE

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision on approving KM 65.900 from current budget reserves to the Agency for High Education Development and Quality Insurance.

The funds were intended to fund an external evaluation process by the Agency for High Education Developemetn and Quality Insurance of BIH, to the end of gaining a full membership in the European Association for Quality Insurance in High Education.

A decision was taken also on approving KM 30,000 from 2025 budget reserves to the General Affairs Service for organisation of a traditional reception regarding Christmas, in the Parliamentary Assembly building, to be held on Dec. 18, 2025.

The session took a decision on approving KM 60,000 from current budget reserves to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, with correction by the Legislation Office, adopted at the session.

The funds are intended for financing a legal counselling by LABORDE LAW, Paris-based lawyers office, before the Implementation Committee of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Cross-Border Context (Espo Convention) in Geneve (Switzerland), initiated upon an application by Bosnia and Herzegovina in respect to radioactive nuclear waste storing at Trgovska Gora.

CONSENT TO EMBASSY OF GREECE IN BIH

The session granted tis consent to the Embassy of Greece in BIH for enabling a light projection of flags of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Greece, on November 30, 2025, marking 30 years from establishment of diplomatic relations between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (end)