Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 32nd Session
12/12/2023
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined in a new text a proposal Platform for negotiations and conclusion of an Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union on operative activities conducted by the Agency for European Broder and Coastal Guard in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Frontex), for better control of illegal migrations.
This is to establish legal framework for operative activities to be conducted by Frontex in BIH territory and define modalities of operative cooperation of EU member countries and responsible authorities in BIH.
A Delegation of BIH will take care on official titles of institutions of BIH for their precise reference in the text Agreement.
The Proposal Platform will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure and the BIH signatory will be the Minister of Security.
DECISION ON CUSTOMS TARIFF
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-proposed decision on defining Customs Tariffs for 2024, harmonised with the European Union Harmonised System and Combined Nomenclature.
The decision will enable more successful foreign trade operations between economic entities in BIH and those of the CEFTA countries, i.e. EU member countries and all other countries BIH has concluded free trade agreement with.
STATE AWARD FOR SPORTS PRESENTED TO ELVEDINA MUZAFERIJA
The Council of Ministers of BIH took unanimously the Ministry for Civil Affairs-proposed decision on the State Sports Award for 2023.
The State Sports Award, worth KM 10.000 was presented as the highest recognition of Bosnia and Herzegovina to skier Elvenida Muzaferija, for an outstanding contribution to sports development and affirmation of BIH.
Among sports achievements by Muzaferija there is the second place at Crans Montana (Switzerland) in FIS Europa Cup competition, where she won the first medal for BIH at an international skiing competition, on February 18, 2023, in addition to fulfilling the “A” Olympic norm for competing at the Winter Olympic Games “Milan – Cortina 2026”.
Elvedina Mzaferija je the state champion in all age categories, with the best international results and she is the first BIH skier who won points in the World Cup.
SUPPORT TO SPORTS: MONEY AWARDS TO DSERVING AND TOP ATHLETES
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on a level of one-time cash award to deserving athletes of Bosnia and Herzegovina and top athletes of international class for 2023, proposed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The money award to deserving athletes in BIH for 2023 was defined in one-time amount ranging from KM 1,700 to KM 3,150 for 11 athletes who met conditions for retirement.
The one-time cash award for top athletes of international class is to be presented for fulfilled “A” norm or placement for participation at Olympic Games/Para-Olympic Games/Special Olympics/World Championships.
The award in 2023 was presented to 33 top athletes in BIH, and the level is defined based on achievements at competitions and it ranges from KM 2000 to KM 2,300.
DECISION ON FACILITY PURCHASE FOR ACCOMMODATION OF DIPLOMATIC-CONSULAR OFFICE IN PODGORICA
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on purchase of a facility for accommodation of Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic-consular Office in Podgorica, after adopting a piece of information on procedures implemented and tasks realised by a Committee for Purchase of Facility, with a proposal for the best offers.
It is about a building at IX Montenegrin Brigade St. 140, Podgorica, Montenegro, valued at EUR 750,000
BIH Ambassador in Podgorica Branimir Jukić should sign the sales agreement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance and Treasury should finalise all required activities as to purchase and registering of the real estate as Bosnia and Herzegovina property.
TO PROMOTE YOUTH COOPERATION BETWEEN BIH AND TURKEY
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding and Youth Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Turkey, with a Proposal Platform for its conclusion, and will provide it to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Civil Affairs will be the BIH signatory thereof.
The Memorandum will contribute to advancement of overall bilateral relations, especially in the area of youth, based on equality and mutual benefit, and will incite relations development of youth-responsible institutions of BIH and Turkey.
INITIATIVE OF DECREASE OF AIR POLLUTION IN TUZLA CANTON
The Council of Ministers endorsed the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Initiative and appointed a negotiating delegation for conclusion of a Loan Contract (Energy Efficacy of Public Buildings in the Tuzla Canton) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, worth EUR eight million.
The Project refers to an increase of energy efficacy of public buildings in the Tuzla Canton, which should have a significant impact to issue-solving of air pollution snd hot house gases emission.
The Loan was allocated to the Federation of BIH, and ultimate debtor is the Tuzla Canton. The Loan repayment term is 15 years including three year-grace period.
BIH AND ITALY STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Italy on Economic Cooperation, after relevant negotiations report was adopted.
By conclusion of the Agreement, a legal framework is created for institutional cooperation of the two stats for promotion, expansion and diversification of mutually beneficial economic cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The Proposal Agreement will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, along with a proposal for the BIH signatory to be the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.
RATIFICATION OF THREE AGREEEMENTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined and will send to the BIH Presidency a Proposal Decision on ratification of an Agreement on Financing Annual Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2022 between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the Council of Ministers of BIH Directorate for European Integrations.
It is about the agreement, signed in Sarajevo on September 19, 2023, worth EUR 45,500,000, financed entirely by the European Union pursuant to earlier concluded Framework Agreement between the European Commission and BIH on implementation arrangements of EU financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina within 2021-2027 Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III).
Under the 2022 Annual Action Plan, the European Union supports IPA III beneficiaries in BIH in implementation and promotion of reform strategies in the areas of judiciary, public administration, public finances, European integrations, climate change, in addition to employment and social welfare.
Also, a Proposal Decision was defined and will be provided to the BIH Presidency on ratification of an Agreement on Financing 2021-2027 Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia Cross-Border Cooperation Activities Programme among the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia, after signing thereof.
The agreement defines financing of the cross-border activity programme of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia in 2021-2027, of total value of EUR 16,223,529.42, of which the maximum expected amount from the EU is EUR 14 mil.
The Cross-Border Cooperation Programme aims promotion of good neighbourly relations, EU integrations, in addition to social-economic development through joint local and regional initiatives, thus contributing to strengthening of mutual cooperation and advancement of security.
Upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Proposal Decision on ratification of Agreement on financing of 2021-2027 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Activity Programme among the European Union, represented by the European Commission, Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the Council of Ministers of BIH Directorate for European Integrations, and Government of Montenegro, represented by the European Integrations Office, will be delivered to the BIH Presidency for further procedure.
The Cross-Border Cooperation Programme will be implemented within the IPA III 2021-2027, implying IPA funds in a maximum amount of EUR 8,400,000, while total costs were estimated at EUR 9,734,117.64.
The aim of the Programme is the improvement of good neighbourly relations, encouragement of integration to the European Union and strengthening of socio-economic development through joint local and regional initiatives. (end)
Link for photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720313322180