Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 34th Session
12/28/2023
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted THE Ministry of Civil Affairs-tabled piece of information in a new text on proposal for participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 60th Venetian Biennale in 2024.
Endorsed was a proposal by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s pavilion at the 60zth Venetian Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2024 to be presented by Sea Measure Project, by academic sculptor Stjepan Skoka and exhibition curator Marin Ivanović.
Marin Ivanović from the university of Mostar Gallery was designated as BIH Pavilion Commissioner. BIH participation at the Venetian Biennale will be supported by KM 180,000 2023 Budget under the Grant to Non-profit Organisations.
In presentation of BIH thus far at one of the most prestigious global festivals of art (La Biennale di Venezia), starting from 2013,selected were two project proposed by the Ministry f Education and Culture of Republika Srpska (2013 and 2017)were selected p, and one project was proposed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2019.
EUROPEAN FUND FOR BIH KM 39 MIL. FOR ENERGY EFFICACY PROJECTS
The Council of Ministers if BH took the ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed decision on use of KIM 39 million from the European Fund for Bosnia and Herzegovina, managed by the Development Bank of Germany (KfW), which ceases to operate on Dec. 31, 2023.
Funds in amount of KM 24 million, belonging to BIH based on tis participation in the Fund, will be earmarked on Dec. 31, 2023 to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury account, opened with the Central Bank of BIH, while the remaining KM 15 million will be paid successively in semi-annual instalments by the end of 2025.
The funds will be, upon KfW proposal, made available to responsible Entity. Cantonal and the Brčko District of BIH institutions for energy efficacy projects, directed for public buildings.
The funds are divided in proportion 61% for the Federation of BIH, 27.59 for Republika Srpska and 1% for the Brčko District of BIH, and resources for the Federation of BIH will be distributed to the Federation and cantons in 50% shares.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BILATERAL COOPERATION PROJECTS IN SCIENCE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed decision on current grant distribution for realisation of science-related bilateral projects based on international agreements for 2023, total worth Km 100,000.
The funds will be distributed to accounts of six public universities in Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Zenica, and East Sarajevo, and further to faculties projects of which were approved after completed public call for showing interest for the grant funds.
The decision on funds distribution will be posted on the Ministry of Civil Affairs web site and published in the “Official Gazette of BIH”.
PROCUREMENT OF BIH BORDER POLICE UNIFORMS
The Council of Ministers of BIIH took a decision on approval of a multi-annual project fo Procurement of a part of police uniform of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, total worth KM 13.5 million, with corrections adopted from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Opinion.
Funds for the project implementation will be secured from the Budget of BIH Institutions in 2023-2005 time period, and Km 5.1 million have been already secured form 2003 Budget.
The decision adoption enables implementation of a new Rulebook on Looks of Police Uniforms, taken this May, which prescribes new looks of all parts of police uniforms.
BIH INSTITUTIONS BUDGET EXECUTION REPORT
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Report of Budget of BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH for I-IX 2023, to be posted at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury web site.
Total realised revenues and financial support to BIH Institutions in the first nine months of this year amounted to KM 1,074,805,760, of which revenues from the Indirect Taxation Administration account were KM 762,396,864 or 75% relative to the planned ones.
Realised expenditures and costs from the Budget of BIH Institutions amounted total KM 825,458,821 and were higher for about KM 143,8 million respective to the same time period 2022, on the backdrop of increase of gross salaries and reimbursements to employees in BH Institutions, and higher foreign debt servicing.
Total realised expenditures and costs for foreign debt servicing in Jan.1-Sept.30, 2023 were KM 927,384,846.
MIGRATIONS SITUATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled piece of information on situation in the area of migrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Jan1-Sept.30, 2023.
According to the Foreigners’ Affairs Service, in the area of legal migrations, foreigners were approved 8,949 temporary stays, among them 4,376 issued for the first time, while 4,573 were extended ones. Work permits were 34% of all reasons for issuance of first temporary stays, 23% were issued on the grounds of education, and the same number for the reasons fo family reunion. The major part of all temporary stays were approved to citizens of Turkey, followed by citizens fi Serbia, Croatia, India, Montenegro and China. In the same time period approved were 693 permanent stays, most to citizens of Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
As to illegal migrations, total 25,174 illegal migrants were registered by the Foreigners’ Affairs Service in the first nine months of 2023, which is the highest number from 2018. Out of 111 different citizenships registered among illegal migrants, the most frequent were citizens of Afghanistan (11,722), Morocco (5,318), Pakistan (1,107), Bangladesh (928), and Iran (810). An intention for applying for asylum was expressed by 23,490 individuals over the reported period of time, of which only 108 of them or 0.46% filled for it.
The feature of transit illegal migrations in 2023 is an increased volume of migrations, with migrants’ short stay in BIH territory while waiting to enter the Schengen zone.
The BIH Border Police evidenced 8,720 individuals in illegal border crossing or attempt of it in the first nine months of 2023. About 90% individuals in illegal transit or attempted one were detected in areas beyond border crossings.
A combat against migrants smuggling is one among priorities for judicial institutions and police agencies in BIH from the very start of the increased pressure of illegal migrations across BIH territory.
According to the BIH Chief Prosecutor’ Office, the Human Smuggling and Trade Division holds currently 197 files, while in time period from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2023, 16 verdicts were taken, covering 21 individuals, and 17 claims were initialled against 21 individuals.
ACTIVITIES STARTED FOR DEVELEOPMENT OF NEW LAW ON DEMINING
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on setting-up a Work Group for development of a Draft Law on Demining in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Work Group will draft the Draft Law on Demining within 180 day from the decision taking and will pass it to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for sending it to the Council of Ministers of BIH for consideration.
The Work Group includes representatives of the state Ministries of Civil Affairs, Defence and Security, Mine Action Centre of BIH, Federal Civil Protection Administration, Republika Srpska Civil Protection Administration and of the Brčko District of BIH Security Division.
LABOUR MARKET POLICY GUIDELINES PLAN ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on adoption of the Labour Market Policy Guidelines and active employment measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023.
The Plan was drafted by the Agency for Labour and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Employment Bureau of Republika Srpska, Federal Employments Bureau, and Employment Bureau of the Brčko District of BIH.
Activities stemming from the Plan are focused to continuation of on-going and implantation of new active employment policy projects, aimed at increased employment in BIH.
SUPPORT TO ENERGY EFFICACY PROJECTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to “Partner” Microcredit Foundation for filing a loan application with the Council of Europe Development Bank for partial financing of energy efficacy projects, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
The Council of Europe Development Bank will allocate EUR 3.5 million loan to the Partner Microcredit Foundation for partial financing of accepted projects throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at investments to energy efficacy.
The Microcredit Foundation, as borrower, takes repayment and financing risk fully and provides to the lender needed coverage and guarantees.
The Council of Ministers of BIH wants this way to facilitate placement of microcredits to households and micro-enterprises for energy efficacy projects, in order to help beneficiaries decrease energy spending along with CO2 emissions and thereby make financial savings.
APPOINTMENTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Enis Horozović for Acting Director of Mine Action Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Biljana Ristić and Ivan Dumđer for Acting Assistant Directors for support and finances, i.e. for operations, until the end of relevant job vacancy procedure, for three months at longest, starting from Dec, 4, 2023.
Upon proposal by the Ministry of Security, Alen Husković was appointed for Deputy Director of the Forensic Research Agency, as the first ranged at successfully completed job vacancy procedure.
The Council of Ministers of BIH considered the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations piece of information in an implemented job vacancy procedure for selection of three members of the BIH Competition Council, to be appointed by the Council of Ministers of BIH.
Based on the Committee for Job Vacancy Procedure Implementation proposal, appointed were three first ranked candidates, Ankica Gudeljević, Davor Savić, and Ninela Salihbašić, as members for a six-year term. Earlier the Council of Ministers took a solution on release of previous BIH Competition Council members, based on term expiry to two members and retirement of one member.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijeceministara/albums/72177720313659661