Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 28th Session
11/09/2023
The Council of Minister of BIH tasked the Food Safety Agency, upon Chairwoman’s proposal, to collect information and provide a report on safety of mineral waters and sparkling beverages on BIH market, after several cases of poisoning in the neighbouring Republic of Croatia, where the subject products were withdrawn.
The Council of Ministers was earlier informed orally that the BIH Food Safety Agency required competent inspection bodies to increase inspection surveillance in the related area.
AGREEMENT ON RECOGNITION OF CAR DRIVERS’ LICENCES WTH UAE
The session defined a Proposal Platform for negotiations on an Agreement on Mutual Recognition and Replacement of Car Drivers’ Licences between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which strengthens bilateral cooperation and enables mutual recognition of car driver’s licences.
This way, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina legally staying in the territory of the United Arab Emirates will be able to replace their drivers’ licences without taking drivers exam, same as citizens of the UEA staying in BIH. It is about driver’s licences of category “B” and of “Light category” in the UAE.
The Proposal Platform for conclusion of the Agreement will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Communications and Transport is proposed for the BIH signatory thereof.
CONSTRUCTION OF OSA BUILDING
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted unanimously a piece information on a need for construction of a facility to serve as the seat of the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (OSA BIH).
The Intelligence-Security Agency of BIH will, in cooperation with the General Affairs Service of BIH, develop a Draft Project, assessment of needed finances and will define deadlines for the realisation thereof, and will send it to the Council of Ministers of BIH for consideration.
This would be a permanent solution for OSA accommodation, with fulfilment of international standards prescribed under the Law on Protection of Classified Data.
As early as 2006, a facility was bought for development of the ISA headquarters, and the existing facility at Adem Buća Street in Sarajevo (former administrative building of the “Zrak” company) was registered as BIH state ownership, but the construction has not been realised due to missing funds.
ECONOMIC REFORMS PROGRAMME ACTION PLAN ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Directorate for Economic Planning-proposed 2024-2026 Economic Reforms Programme Action Plan, in a new text.
Translated documents were noted (the EU, Western Balkans and Turkey Economic and Financial Dialogue Common Conclusions; 2023-205 BIH Economic Reforms Programme EC Assessment; European Commission Guidelines for Development of 2024-2026 Western Balkans and Turkey Economic Reforms Programme), as important attachments for PER BIH development.
The Directorate for Economic Planning, as coordinator for 2024-2026 Economic Reforms Programme, should, in cooperation Entity coordinators and state Ministries of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Communications and Transport, Civil Affairs, Finance and Treasury, and Directorate for European Integrations, and other BIH Institutions, as appropriate, implement the Action Plan in line with the attachments and develop the 2024-2026 Economic Reforms Programme of BH within deadlines set.
Under the Plan, the BIH Economic Reforms Programme should be provided to the European Commission by mid-January next year.
MONITORING OF BIH GENDER ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees-proposed Decision to set-up a Coordination Board for Monitoring of BIH Gender Actin Plan.
The Coordination Board, to be chaired by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees Gender Equality Agency Manager, will include representatives from nine state-level Ministries and other institutions, administrative organisations, agencies and bodies under the Council of Ministers, in addition to the Brčko District representatives.
The Coordination Board, as a cross-sector expert body of the Council of Ministers of BIH, will coordinate implementation and monitoring of activities under the Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the Council of Ministers do BIH at its 26th session of October 18, 2023.
MEMBERS OF GMO COUNCIL APPOINTED
The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina took the Food Safety Agency-proposed Decision to appoint members of the Genetically Modified Organisms Council, proposed by various scientific, expert and education institutions from the Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of BIH.
The Council will, among others, provide opinions in preparation of regulations concerning the use of GMO, advise relevant bodies as to the use of GMO and provide expert opinions to competent bodies of the state administration.
BASIC SALARY DEFIEND FOR DIPLOMATIC-CONSULAR POSTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed decision on defining the level of basic salary in diplomatic-consular offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023, with some correction made at the session.
This defines basic salaries in 53 diplomatic-consular offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to 10 more offices in the preparation phase.
The proposal on basic salary was developed based on data from the UN International Committee for Civil Service, and it includes, among other things, published UN indexes on living and accommodation costs for December 2022.
SUPPLEMENTED RULEBOOKS ON USE OF PHONES AND OFFICIAL VEHICLES
The Council of Ministers took the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Rulebook on Supplements to Rulebook on use of phones.
This way, the State Investigations and Protection Agency (SIPA) is enabled to procure phones from operators for KM 1, in order to enable certain staff-members access to a single network, enabling communication without extra costs, thus making financial savings.
Under earlier Rulebook on use of phones, a procurement of mobile phone devices in BIH Institutions was enabled, albeit with limitations as to maximum costs of phone uses and streamlining list of mobile phones users.
The session took a Rulebook on Amendments and Supplements to the Rulebook on procurement and use of official cars in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, developed by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, with certain corrections made at the session.
Under the Amendments and Supplements, the BIH Railways Regulatory Board was approved procurement of a mid-class vehicle, instead of low-class one, as provided under the earlier Rulebook.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations was approved to use official cars for specialised purposes, for the needs of the Inspection Office, following cases of other inspection competent institutions.
FUNDS APPROVED FOR REPLENISHMENT OF IFAD FUNDS
The Council of Ministers took a decision to approve funds for payment of contribution to the thirteenth replenishment of International Fund for Agricultural Development funds 2025-2027.
The decision approved EUR 60,000.00 for the thirteenth replenishment of IFAD funds, in accordance with obligations stemming from the BIH membership in IFAD.
Bosnia and Herzegovina takes part in replenishment of IFAD funds for the seventh time now.
After 1995, IFAD in Bosnia and Herzegovina approved funds for financing of eight projects totally worth USD 93 million, under very favourable conditions.
The Council of Ministers of BIH session will be resumed on Monday, November 20th, 2023, when a new session was planned to take place.(end)
Link for photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720312548041