Špirić Receives CEB Governor Rolf Wentzel



Deputy Chairman of the council of Ministers of BIH and Minister of Finance and Treasury Nikola Špirić received Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Rolf Wentzel, who is in his official visit to BIH regarding the plenary annual meeting of the Bank, scheduled in Sarajevo or June 13-14, 2014.

Minister Špirić expressed his satisfaction for this year’s plenary meeting of CEB takes place in BIH, and thanked to Governer Wentzel for his swift reaction in providing assistance to the flooded areas in BIH.

Governor Wentzel thanked to Minister Špirić for his support in arranging the annual plenary meeting of the CEB, highlighting that it is god for Governors of the whole of Europe are going to gather in Sarajevo in a moment when Bosnia and Herzegovina is in major need for international support.

Minister Šprić briefed Governor Wentzel on the on-going flood damage assessment activity in BIH, involving relevant international institutions, and that the results would be known on June 18, to be followed by a donor conference, scheduled for the first half of July.

Governor Wentzel confirmed that CEB representatives will take part at the donor conference, and noted their intention to focus on concrete projects, since this bank focuses its programmes to the social component, and added that he expects het plenary meeting to take decisions on commitment of non-refundable resources, along with restructuring of certain loans in order to assist the flood victims as early as possible.

The meeting discussed concrete projects, like demining, and prior preparation of maps of mine contaminated surfaces, which moved due to floods and landslides, and housing project, as a priority in this phase of reconstruction.

The meeting noted a successful realisation of the first phase of the Western Balkans Housing Programme for refugees, coordinated by the CEB on behalf of major international donors.

Currently on-going projects are worth EUR 214 million, and CEB has the role of creditor, co-creditor or funds administrator, while the projects under-way are worth EUR 57 million.

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