Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 97th Session

CoMBIH EARMARKS KM ONE MILLION FOR REHABILITATION FROM FIRE IN TUZLA AND VLASENICA

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision to approve KM one million from 2025 budget reserves for assistance in rehabilitation from fire in the City of Tuzla and Municipality of Vlasenica.

The City of Tuzla will get KM 700,000 and Municipality Vlasenica KM 300,000 for the purpose of rehabilitation from fire aftermath, in accordance with a conclusion from the 94th session of the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The end beneficiaries owe to report the purposeful use of resources by Dec. 31st, 2026 at latest, to the Council of Minister through the Ministry of Security.

Vlasenica witnessed two residential buildings burning this August, while on No. 4th night fire broke in the Retirement House in Tuzla, killing several tenants.

KM 10 MILLION TO FUND FOR RETURN

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on redistributing KM 10,000,000 from the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees budget to the Fund for Return for implementation of projects aiming financing of the Dayton Peace Accord-contained rights.

Funds for implementation of a Revised Strategy of BIH for implementation of Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Accord will be secured by compiling resources from BIH Institutions, Entities and Brčko District of BIH budgets.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH, Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, Republic Secretariat for Displaced Persons and Migrations of Republika Srpska, Government of the Brčko District of BIH, and Fund for Return singed an Agreement on Joining and Implementation of Funds for implementation of rights from the Dayton Peace Accords Annex VII for year 2025.

BHRT NOTIFICATIONS CONSIDERED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of communications from the Public Radio TV Broadcasting System of Bosnia and Herzegovina – BHRT, seeking financial assistance required for operation problem-solving.

ANNUAL FOREIGNERS’ WORK PERMITS QUOTA DEFINED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed decision on defining annual quota of work permits for foreigners’ employment in Bs0nia and Herzegovina in 2026.

The decision taking will meet effectively needs of labour market without threatening domestic labour force, including a decrease of illegal work by foreign citizens.

The total annual quota of work permits for extension or new employment is 7,427 work permits, of which 4,500 in the Federation of BIH, 2,000 in Republika Srpska, and 927 in the Brčko District of BIH. The number of work permits for extension of the already issued ones is 2,350 (Federation of BIH – 1500, Republika Srpska - 500, and the Brčko District of BH - 350), while 5,077 work permits may be issued for the new employment (Federation of BIH – 3,000, Republika Srpska – 1,500, and the Brčko District of BIH - 577 work permits).

Most of work permits are intended for civil construction sector - 1,760, to processing industry 1,060, while 560 work permits are intended for hotel industry and catering.

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines the annual quota of work permits based on migration policy and labour market situation.

CUSTOMS TARRIFFS ADOPTED

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign trade and Economic Relations-proposed decision on defining customs tariffs for year 2026, in line with the Harmonised System and the EU Combined Nomenclature.

The decision will enable a more successful foreign trade operations between economic entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and CEFTA-signatory countries, namely, EU member countries.

REFORM AGENDA IMPLEMETNATION CONSIDERED

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered a piece of information by the Directorate for Economic Planning on status of the Reform Agenda of BIH, obligations as to the Western Balkans Growth Plan and next institutional steps in BIH, of which it will reflect after analysing the proposers’ suggestions made at the session.

AMLFT AND ARMS MEASURES

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on setting-up work sub-groups under the AMLFT Standing Coordination Body, including for combating financing of mass destruction arms proliferation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Under the division, ten sub-groups will be formed, with defined their concrete assignments and execution deadlines for an efficient implementation of international standards in anti-money laundering and financing terrorism activities, including financing of mass destruction arms proliferations.

Early formation of the AMLFT Standing Coordination Body in BIH and now its work sub-groups to analyse and revise MLFT risk assessments in all sectors is one among activities recommended by Moneyval Committee.

AMENDMETN OF ADMINISTRATEIVE FEES TARIFF

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed decision on amendments of administrative fee tariff, with accepted corrections by the Council of Ministers Legislation Office.

The tariff amendment will enable services extended in BIH diplomatic-consular offices to be priced in terms of euro, since KM is pegged to EUR through currency board and KM exchange rate is fixed in relation to EUR.

Since 20202, when current services and prices thereof in were defined, diplomatic-consular offices have expanded their services, making it necessary to include the new services into administrative fee tariff, with their specification and harmonisation, as appropriate, with relevant services by consular offices of countries of the region.

FOREIGN EXCHANEG INCREASED IN 2025 Q III

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Analysis of Foreign Trade Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina for I-IX 2025, regularly submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations quarterly.

The total foreign trade exchange relevant to the same time 2024 increased for 4.93%; import increased by 4.33 % and export increased by 6%, so coverage of import by export was increased for 0.90% and it amounts 56.67 %, with an increase of foreign trade deficit of 2.22%.

The total goods exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina in I-IX 2025 was KM 34.83 billion. The value of goods exported was KM 12.60 billion, while the value of the imported goods was KM 22.23 billion, leading to the foreign trade deficit of KM 9.63 billion.

In the first nine months of this year, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported mostly electric energy,  worth KM 654.9 million, isolated wire and cables worth KM 549.7 million, iron and steel constructions and their parts worth KM 417.3 million, parts and accessories for motor and towing vehicles worth KM 400.8 million, and furniture and parts  thereof worth KM 338.8 million.

At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina mostly imported petroleum oil, except of crude ones, worth KM 1.63 billion, passenger vehicles worth KM 1.03 billion, medicines worth KM 581.2 million, and electric energy worth KM 482.3 million.

Most of goods were exported to the following countries: Croatia KM 2.532 billion; Germany KM 1.83 billion; Serbia KM 1.40 billion; Austria KM 1.17 billion; Slovenia KM 1.04 billion, and to Italy KM 1.21 billion.

Most of goods was imported from the following countries: Italy KM 2.57 billion; Germany KM 2.52 billion; Serbia KM 2.40 billion; China KM 2.35 billion; Croatia KM 1.93 billion, and Turkey KM 1.21 billion.

The major coverage of import by export was made with Austria (155.73%), Slovenia (130.03 %), Croatia (119.92 %), and Germany (72.36 %).

Export to the EU counties was KM 9.28 billion or 5.83 % higher, relevant to same time 2024, while import was KM 12.90 billion or 1.85% more than last year; the foreign exchange deficit with the EU countries was KM 3.62 billion or 7.08% less than in the same time 2024.

The export to CEFTA countries was KM 2.19 billion or 9.78% more than in the same time 20224, while the import was KM 2.77 billion or 10.47% more than in 2024.compared with the same time 2024, and deficit in foreign exchange of goods with CEFTA countries in I-IX 2025 of KM 584.25 million making it increased for 13.13%.

The share of export to other countries is 8.99 % of total BIH export, while import from other countries is 29.52 % share.

CONSENT TO RULEBOOK ON BIH BORDER POLICE OFFICIAL VEHICLES

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent, upon proposal by the Ministry of Security, to a Rulebook on number, purchase, use and assigned persons for use of official vehicles for specialised purposes in the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Rulebook covered maximum 469 vehicles, including those purchased with support from the budget or grants.

The Border Police of BIH covers the state border od 1,551 km length with total 83 border crossings, of which 55 international ones and 28 for border traffic.

ADDITIONAL PIECE OF INFORMATION AS TO GREECO RECCOEMDNATIONS IMPLEMENTATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on drafted GREECO recommendations additional implementation report in the fourth round of evaluations, to be submitted to the GREECO Secretariat by the Ministry of Security.

The fourth provisional report on harmonisation level of Bosnia and Herzegovina with GREECO recommendations in the fourth round of evaluation was planned to be considered at the 102nd GREECO plenary session in March 2026.

The additional piece of information on implementation of GREECO recommendations was drafted based on data from relevant institutions from different authority levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following adoption of the third provisional report on harmonisation level of Bosnia and Herzegovina with GREECO recommendations in the fourth round of evaluation, dealing with “corruption prevention among MPs, judges and prosecutors”.

The third provisional report, adopted in November 2204, GREECO concluded that Bosnia and Herzegovina made a slight and limited progress in the recommendation implementation.

TO IMPLEMENT UN COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, in a new text, a piece of information by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees concerning a Conclusion with notes on the Fourth Periodic Report by Bosnia and Herzegovina on implementation of Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights Situation before UN Council for Human Rights and a conclusions proposal.

The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will post the Conclusions and Recommendations of UN Council for Human Rights with proposal conclusions for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review on human rights situation in BIH at its official web site.

Key notes and recommendations by UN Council for Human Rights and conclusion of the Council of Ministers to the fourth cycle of Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights Situation in BIH will be submitted to all responsible bodies in BIH for the aim of implementation thereof, thus making our country continue working on further advancement of strategic planning in prevention and improved level of human rights protection.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Delegation presented its Fourth Periodic Report in Genva in January 2025.

TERM EXPIRY

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of a piece of information on a mandate expiry to Tarik Rabović, Manager of the Public Procurement Agency of BIH on Feb 5, 2026, and concluded that a job vacancy ad should be posted timely.

The Council of Ministers of BIH also tasked the Civil Service Agency in BIH to reflect on initiating a new job vacancy procedure, since the most successful candidate to fil the vacant post in the previous job vacancy ad procedure turned 65.

CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS FO BIH CONCESSION COMMITTEE

The Council of Ministers of BIH took a Decision on criteria for appointment of members of the Concession Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Decision on appointment of Committee for Job Vacancy Procedure Implementation for selection of seven members of the Concession Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

Along with general conditions a candidate for the Committee member must fulfil, there are special requirements which, among others, include at least the 7th education degree, i.e. high education of Boulogne study system valued with at least 240 ETCS points from law, economy and engineering, at least five-year seniority and expert exam passed.

Also, a candidate should fulfil requirement set forth by the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest at BIH level, should be affirmed expert from his area of operation, against whom no criminal proceeding takes place and was not convicted for a criminal act, and that he has no direct or indirect interests in any activity to lead to the conflict of interest. He cannot be engaged on other job, perform any other duty or engage in political activities.

Under the decision, the appointed Committee for Job Vacancy Procedure Implementation for selection of seven members of the Concession Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be made of five members – three civil servants from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and two independent experts.

AGREEMENT RATIFICATION

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs-tabled Proposal Decision on ratification of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi on mutual exemption from requirement for short-term visa for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports was adopted and will be sent to the Presidency of BIH to further ratification procedure.

PARTICIPATION IN HORIZON EUROPA EU PROGRAMME

The Council of Ministers adopted a piece of information, tabled by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, on participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovations – Horizon Europa.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs supported during 2024 through a current grant “Programme for Preparation of Projects and Potential Candidates for Horizon Europa fund resources” 35 projects in total amount of KM 435.500. Also, 30 projects were supported from the “Support to Technical Culture and Innovations in Bosnia and Herzegovina” in total amount of KM 117,000.

According to the European Commission data, in 2021-2024-time span, 42 legal entities from our country signed contracts on use of grant funds from the Horizon Europa fund for 54 projects of total amount of EUR 11.52.

For the aim of a successful participation in the Programme, the Ministry of Civil Affairs cooperates closely with the European Commission and EU Delegation in BIH, as well as with the competent Entity and Cantonal Ministries.

SUPPORT TO PROJECTS FROM HORIZON EUROPA FUND AND TO INNOVATIONS

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on a Proposal Decision on Criteria for distribution of funds from the current grant “Programmes for preparation of projects and potential candidates for funds from 2025-2027 Horizon Europa and Support to Innovations Fund”.

This new grant in 2025, worth total KM 561,000, was developed by a marge of previous two grants; “Programmes for preparation of projects and potential candidates for Horizon Europe fund resources” (KM 444,000) and ”Support to Technical Culture and Innovations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (KM117,000).

The grant support was planned for all institutions, organisations and individuals supported previously through two grants, pursuant to criteria defined by the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The merger of two grants took place due to rationalisation of operations in both technical and functional terms within the responsible division of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. (end)