Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds its 35th Session
01/11/2024
SHIFTED DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF DIVISION FOR ACTION PER REPORTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Proposal Law on Amendment and Supplements to the Law on High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BIH), to be passed by the Ministry of Justice to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly for consideration under urgent procedure.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Law shift a deadline for 90 days for establishment and operativity of a division for implementation of procedures per reports, which should become operative within the new deadline, i.e. by March 23, 2024. Also, transitory provisions were adopted as to branch violations, with minor technical corrections of legal terms for easier practical implementation.
The adoption of Amendments and Supplements to the Law on HJPC corresponds with relevant initiative the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BIH.
AMENDMETNS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO LAW ON CIVIL SERVICE IN BIH INSTITUTIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted unanimously a Proposal Law n Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Civil Service in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with some changes made at the sessions, for the aim of securing more effective and accountable civil service. The Proposal Law will be sent to the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Law - developed in cooperation with SIGMA experts and harmonised with opinion by the BIH Agency for Personal Data Protection - create conditions for setting-up register od employees in Institutions and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as one of key conditions for a start of a systemic state-level public administration reform.
The Law introduces a new post – Inspector, as civil servant with special authorisations.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Civil Service in BIH Institutions will enable a number of those interested to apply to public job vacancy ads, and will facilitate the process of documentation handover, together with facilitating the employment process.
A novelty in the Law is a possibility for individuals, other than civil servants or employees, to file claims if witnessing violations of official duties.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Law, developed by the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the BIH Agency for Civil Service, harmonises the Law with provisions of the Law on salaries and reimbursements in BIH Institutions, which has invalidated certain provisions of the Law on Civil Service in BIH Institutions.
ADOPTED AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO LAW ON BHANSA
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to Law on Agency for Air Navigation Service Provision of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHANSA), proposed by the Ministry of Communications and Transport, for the purpose of adjustments to practical needs and removal of deficiencies evidenced to-date.
The Proposed Law was harmonised with requirements from Protocol II of Multilateral Agreement on European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) in terms of title and organisation of activities.
The Supplements to the Law secure, among other things, service provision in air navigation in all controlled airports in BIH, including airports established after the Law took effect.
DECISION ON ENTRY AND STAY IN BIH UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR CITIZENS FO PALESTINE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on entry and stay in BIH under special conditions of citizens of Pakistan, who are relatives to BIH citizens, with some corrections made at the session.
This enabled facilitated entry to BIH to three individuals, relatives of BIH citizens, and who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip an accommodated in Egypt.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH will provide a list of individuals with their personal and data on relation with BIH citizens to the BIH Border Police.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BIH Border Police and Foreigners’ Affairs Service of BIH are in charge for implementation of the decision.
The entry is enabled through the International Airport Sarajevo border crossing.
NON-VISA REGIME FOR CIRIZENS OF SAUDI ARABIA DURING SUMMER SEASON IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed Decision on Amendments and Supplements to Decision on visas, temporary cancelling visa regime in BIH for citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and introducing visas for citizens of the Sultanate Oman.
According to the Decisions, citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are exempted form visas for entry, exit, transit and stay in BIH territory in time-period from June 1 to September 30, 2024, and they may stay in BIH for 30 days at longest.
The background for the decision taking is the economic one, promotion of touristic, economic and development capacities of BIH, including further promotion of bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Simultaneously, an obligation of visa possession for entry, exit, transit and stay in BIH territory was imposed for citizens of the Sultanate of Oman, due to an obligation to harmonise visa policy with that of the European Union.
WBIF GRANT FOR CORRIDOR OF RIVERS SAVA AND DRINA
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Basics for conclusion of a Grant Agreement – Western Balkans Investment Framework (co-financing of the Rivers Sava and Drina Corridors Integrated Development Programme under multi-phase programmatic approach) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as the leading financial institution for WBIF.
It is USD 8,290,00 WBIF grant, administrated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The grant is to finance a part of project for improvement of the main navigable way by demining the right bank of the river Sava corridor, by Project Implementation Unit, to be set-up under the Ministry Communications and Transport, the project implementer.
The Proposal Basics will be provided to the BIH Presidency, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury will be the BIH signatory thereof.
CONCRETE MEASURES PLAN FOR MITIGATION OF MIGRANT CRISIS IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled piece of information on concrete measures plan for mitigation of migrant crisis and will pass it to the BIH Presidency.
The piece of information suggests that the Ministry of Security follows continuously and analyses situation of an increased migrant pressure and takes preparatory activities for development of a new plan of priority action, in order to revise the existing aims, measures and activities, in cooperation with relevant institutions and agencies. In that regard, it comes necessary to continue working towards more effective migrations management, implying a shift in management of temporary accommodation centres from international organisations to BIH institutions, in cooperation with Frontex, including strengthening of coordination and cooperation within Bosnia and Herzegovina at both regional and international level.
From the end of 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been faced with multiply increased illegal migrant entries to its territory from Serbia and Montenegro. The Foreigners’ Affairs Service was reported total 142,455 illegal migrants in time span from 2018 to Nov 2023.
The current Measures and Activities Plan for Effective Management of Migrant Crisis in BIH holds seven priorities, 24 measures and 127 activities. Out of total planned 127 activities, 96 are in implementation, among which 63 activities implemented or in continuous implementation as planned, 33 activities were partially implemented and 31 were unimplemented.
INCREASED ANNUAL QUOTA OF WORK PERMITS
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 Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024.
The total annual work permits quota for extension or new employment of foreigners in BIH in 2024 is 6,073, of which 4,295 belong to the Federation of BIH and 1,400 to Republika Srpska, and 378 to the Brčko District of BIH. The total annual work permits quota is considerably higher this year in relation to the previous one, when there were 3,995 work permits.
For new employment of foreigners in BIH 3,623 work permits may be issued – 2,345 for the Federation of BIH, 1,000 for Republika Srpska and 278 for Brčko District of BIH.
The most of work permits, 1,550, was planned for new employment of foreigners in civil construction sector, of which 600 for the Federation of BIH, 800 for Republika Srpska and 150 for Brčko District of BIH, while 762 work permits are available for new employment in processing industry, namely 600 in the Federation o BIH, 102 in Republika Srpska and 60 in Brčko District of BIH.
This year, 2,450 work permits may be issued as an extension of earlier issued ones, for the Federation of BIH 1,950, Republika Srpska 400, and for Brčko District of BIH 100 work permits.
VENETIAN BIENNALE: ADVISORY BODY APOINTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed decision to appoint an Advisory Body for monitoring participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Venetian Biennale, after the previous membership’s term terminated.
The three-year term Advisory Body, composed of five members from relevant State Ministries (Civil Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Finance and Treasury), and Entity Ministries of culture, sports and education, is responsible to monitor participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Venetian Biennale.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Pavilion at the 60th Venetian Biennale of Contemporary Art 2024 will be represented by the See Measure Project, by academic sculptor Sjepan Skoko, while the exhibition curator is Marin Ivanović.
AMENDED DECISION ON ROMA BOARD APPOINTMENT
A decision amending the Decision on appointment of Roma Board under the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina was taken upon a proposal by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, aiming more effective Board operation.
Under the decision, the Roma Board includes representatives from the state Ministries for Human Rights and Refugees and Finance and Treasury, in addition to members from the Brčko District of BIH Government and Roma population.
DECISION ON TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROGRAMMES CONTROL SYSTEM
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Decision on Territorial Cooperation Programme Control System, in a new text with corrections made at the session.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BIH Division for EU Programmes and Project Financing (CFCU) will act as a control body in relevant territorial cooperation programmes, which are implemented under divided or indirect management system.
The control body will verify justifiability and legality of realised costs shown in periodical reports by BIH beneficiaries - project partners.
Such solution has been in implementation in BIH from 2011, following the practice of all countries of the region, since responsible officers were educated in management and control systems within the EU Programme.
INCREASE OF TOURISTIC VISITS AND OVERNIGHT STAYS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on situation in tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For eight months of 2023, 1,161,957 touristic visits were made to BIH, or 19.2% more than in the same period in 2022, when 962,987 arrivals were registered. There were total 2,521,950 night stays or 15% more in relation to the same period of time in previous year, when 2,167,603 night stays were registered.
The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Ministry of Foreign trade and Economic Relations to continue, in cooperation with the Entity and Brčko District of BIH institutions, activities on improvement of tourism in BIH.
ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN TRADE EXCHANGE IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled Analysis of foreign trade exchange of BIH for Q I-III 2023, suggesting that overall goods exchange over he reported period was KM 33.42 billion.
The value of exported goods was KM 12.65 billion, and of the imported goods it was KM 20.77 billion, and foreign trade deficit was KM 8.11 billion.
The main features of the foreign trade exchange for I-IX 2023, compared with the same time in 2022 was a fall of total foreign trade exchange of BIH (3.69%), fall of import (6.44%) , and growth of foreign trade deficit (6.02%), while the coverage of import by export was less for 2.93% and it was 60.94%.
Over the reported time-period, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported mostly electric power, valued at KM 879.86 million, isolated wire and cables worth KM 458.50 million, and seats and parts of those, worth KM 437.37 million.
Simultaneously, the most imported goods were petrol oils, except from crude oils, worth KM 1,78 billion, passenger vehicles worth KM 818.40 million, drugs worth KM 477.69 million, and hard coal, briquets worth KM 460.66 million.
Export to the Eu countries in I-IX 2023 was KM 9.31 billion, or 6.77% less than in 2022, while the import was KM 12.17 billion, or 1.96% more than over the same time-period year ago.
IMPLEMETATION OF RIGA CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted in a new text a piece of information from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on implementation of “Improvement of Quality and Relevance of Professional Education and Training in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Based on Riga Conclusions (2021-2023)”, aiming contribution to integration to the so-called European area of professional education and training, as well as to acceleration of the European road to the EU.
The piece of information provides a review of activities implemented from the Professional Education and Training Modernisation Plan in BIH, developed based on conclusions form Riga, from which five gaols stemmed, presented by relevant education institutions in BIH.
Activities were directed to the following: inciting learning based on work; development of quality insurance mechanism in education; qualifications for all through more flexible and fluent systems; additional boosting of key competences in professional education programmes; and introduction of systemic approach and possibility for both initial and continued professional up-grading of lecturers., trainers and mentors, both in schools and in workplace.
Contribution to development of the piece of information developed was made by the competent Ministries of Education from the Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska, together with Sarajevo, Unsko-Sanski, Posavski, Hercegvačko-Neretvanski, Zeničko-Dobojski, Zapadnohercegovački, Bosansko-Podrinjski, Goražde Cantons, and Canton 10, including the Brčko District of BIH. The Ministries of Education from the Tuzla and Srednjebosanski Canton failed to provide the required data.
TO PROVIDE URGENTLY BIH INSTITUTIONS HOUSE RULES
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of both a request by the Joint Collegium of both Chambers of the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly, taken at it of BIH Institutions 6th session of Dec. 17, 2023, as to functioning of the General Affairs Service and piece of information by the Ministry of civil Affairs on media representatives entry prevention.
The Council of Ministers was concerned about frequent complaints about work of the General Affairs Service and requires from its management to find a way soon for improvement of its system of work.
The General Affairs Service of BIH Institutions should soon, within 30 day at latest, develop a proposal house rules in the BIH Institutions complex, and provide it to the Council of Ministers of BIH and competent body of the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH, for the aim of improvement of work in premises the Service is responsible for.
APPOINTMENTS
The session adopted a piece of information on resignation by Director-General of the Directorate for Civil Aviation of BIH Čedomir Šušnjar, who was released form duty based on his own request.
Also, a decision was taken to appoint Siniša Bajić for Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Civil Aviation of BIH until the end of relevant job vacancy procedure, for three months at longest.
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to appoint Ivan Barbalić for manager of the Agency for Labour and Employment of BIH to a four-year term, as the best ranked candidate at the completed job vacancy procedure.
Acting manager of the Agency for Labour and Employment of BIH Vedad Hindija was released from his duty. (end)
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