Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 38th Session

KM 4 MILLION FOR BHRT 

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Communications and Transport-proposed decision to use a part of accumulated surplus funds of the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, conclusive with Dec. 31, 2021.

Under the decision, the Public Radio TV Broadcaster of Bosnia and Herzegovina will get KM 4,000,000, while the Governments of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of Republika Srpska will get KM 3,000,000 each for support to development and advancement of BIH communications sector.

The Radio-TV Broadcaster of Bosnia and Herzegovina had required funds earlier for procurement of studio and production equipment for production of HD resolution signal and payment of rights to broadcast the 2024 European Football Championship and Summer Olympic Games taking place in July-August 2024.

The Council of Ministers was earlier informed of a conclusion taken at the 14^th session of the Parliamentarian Assembly House of Representatives Transport and Communications Committee of January 18, 2024, relating to earmarking of finances for support to public broadcasters.

RURAL DEVELOPEMETN STRATEGIC PLAN

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted BIH 2023-2027 Rural Development Strategic Plan, a framework document, developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic Relations, and will send it to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly.

The document reaffirms strategic aims of gradual harmonisation of agriculture and rural development with the European Union Common Agriculture Policy and investment attraction.

The vision of the Strategic Agriculture Development over the five-year time span is the advanced, competitive and climate resistant agriculture-food sector with high productivity and better market orientation, followed by increased digitalisation and innovations, sustainable land, and other natural resources management, prosperous and preserved rural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attractive for life and economic activity by all inhabitants, young ones especially.

An indicative financial framework for realisation of the Strategic Plan represents a total of resources planned under the Entity and Brčko District agriculture development strategies, which include state-level resources. planned for implementation of measures of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, agencies, directorates and offices at the BIH level and estimates for co-financing and other sources.

The total Strategic Plan budget framework is KM 1,78 billion, and mobilisation of additional KM 533 is expected from other sources, making it KM 2.3 billion in total for five--year implementation. The finances will be secured from the Federation of BIH (42.7%) and cantons (14.4%), Republika Srpska (18.1%), the Brčko District of BIH (3.5%), sate level (1%), and additional 20.3% from grants by EU and other donors.

During the implementation term, an increase of budget allocations are planned for development of agriculture and rural areas per average annual rate of 4.6%, so that funds available in 2027 (KM 394 million) should be higher for 20% relative to inceptive year, 2023.

BIH ACCEEDES TO 2021-2026 EU JUDICIARY PROGRAMME

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina on participation in the 2021-2027 Judiciary Programme, aiming strengthening of judicial cooperation in judicial cooperation between competent BIH and EU member countries’ institutions.  

The participation at the Programme will enable promotion and acceleration of key reforms in the judicial sector in BIH and will create conditions for intensification of the European integrations process.

The aim of the Programme is to facilitate non-discriminatory access to judiciary for all and effective legal protection in criminal procedures, including strengthening of judicial independence, development of appropriate police, customs, and other law enforcement bodies, in addition to adequate training and promotion of combat against corruption and organised crime.

The acceding to the Programme is a part of implementation of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement in the part relevant to strengthening of institutions and rule of law.

The Ministry of Justice will provide the Proposal Agreement and Platform for its conclusion to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Head of the BIH Mission with EU as the signatory thereof.

BIH-SLOVENIA COOPERATION IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in Digital Transformation between the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH and Ministry of Digital Transformation Information Security Office of the Republic of Slovenia.

The aim is to improve bilateral relations and strengthen competent institutions in both BIH and Slovenia in digital transformation, electronic communication services, ICT system management and public administration electronic services.

An intensified cooperation should contribute to increased economic and social progress of BIH population, with reaching a high level of consumers’ protection, competitiveness and transparency on electronic communications market.

The Proposal Memorandum of Understanding will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Communications and Transport of BIH will be proposed for the BIH signatory thereof.

ENABLED REGISTRATION OF OLDTIMER VEHICLES

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed Rulebook on prices of vehicles documents and marks, which defines the level of fees for registration of old-timer vehicle and use of portable number plates, which has not been regulated thus far, posing problems to both natural and level persons.

The level of fee for issuance and use of portable number plates, as well as for number plates for old-timers is KM 20.

Other fees are at the level from 2009 and range from KM 5.00 for issuance of vehicle ownership certificate and registration, and for issuance and use of vehicle markings – stickers, as well as for number plates for test drive, while a fee for issuance of number plates use certificate booklet is KM 10.00. The level of fee for issuance of number plates for motor vehicles is KM 20.00, and level of fee for trailers number plates, motorcycles and powered bicycles is KM 10.00. The same fee level was kept for number plates for cars of diplomatic-consular missions and international organisations in BIH - KM 30,00 - as well as for number plates for temporary registered car, KM 5,00.

The fee level for issuance of these marks in cases of lost, theft, destruction or serious damage is identical to the fee level as for their original issuance.

Fee levels are to be paid to the BIH Single Treasury Account. Out of total collected funds, 30% is revenue of BIH Institutions and 70% belongs to bodies competent for vehicle registration.

The Rulebook takes effect on the eighth day of its publication in the “Official Gazette of BIH”, when the previous Rulebook (“Official Gazette of BIH”, No. 76/09) becomes invalid.

PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AND PROPERTY INTERESTS OF BIH

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information from the BIH Chief Attorney’s Office on initiated procedure of compulsory enforcement of damage under decision of the European Court for Human Rights from 2012 in file Murtić & Ćerimović vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, ap. No. 6495/09, with appropriate conclusions directed to the protection of interests of BIH.

The session tasked the Chief Attorney’s Office to present to the Council of Ministers of BIH, within 15-day time, a comprehensive report on all claims initiated against Bosnia and Herzegovina before courts abroad which may have financial implications, for timely measures to be taken to protect property interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will engage an attorney, via the BIH Embassy in Switzerland and in cooperation with the BIH Chief Attorney’s Office, to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in a process of compulsory collection of claims, initiated by the creditor, UNA TRUST&INVESTMENT GMBH, based on court payment order issued by collection service Bern-Mittelland in the Swiss Confederation.

The BIH Chief Atorney’s Office will cooperate with the attorney engaged on protection of property and property rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this proceeding.

The report concludes that all obligations under the European Court award from 2012 were fully implemented and that the relevant award relates to only two applicants who initiated procedure before the European Court for Human Rights and won award in the file Murtić & Ćerimović vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, on June 19, 2012, not to all shareholders of Agrokomerc, as was misinterpreted by UNA TRUST&INVESTEMNT GMBH, representing 2,767 shareholders of Agrokomerc.

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted a final resolution on March 6, 2014, confirming that Bosnia and Herzegovina fulfilled all its obligations under June 19, 2012 award in the file Murtić&Ćerimović vs BIH.

FUNDS APPROVED FOR COURT PROCESS BEFORE HIGH COURT IN CALIFORNIA

The Council of Ministers of BIH took the BIH Chief Attorney’s Office-proposed Decision, in new text, on financial sources and way of fulfilment of financial obligations in amount of KM 70,000 for the purpose of running court proceeding before the Higher Court in California in file of claimant Danijel Čavić against defendant Yugobanka Jsc, Belgrade, A New York Agency.

The funds are approved at the expense of the Budget of the BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH, for the purpose of running a court procedure, seeking an expansion of the award by the Higher Court of California, Orange District.

Under the award by the Court from 2019, Yugobanka, Jsc. Belgrade, A New York Agency, was obliged to pay USD 738,772.23 to the claimant, with USD 203 daily interest, as of the day of award.  Since the debt has never been made-up, claimant Daniel Čavić, referring to the Agreement on Succession Issues of ex-SFRY Annex C, demands from the Higher Court in California to expand the award and oblige other ex-SFRY successor states, including BIH, to pay the relevant debt.

The BIH Attorney’s Office concluded an agency agreement with US law firm DLA Piper, based on conclusions by the Council of Ministers of BIH of November 2023, when a piece of information was adopted on proposal for amendment of the Higher Court of California, Orange District award.

REVIEW OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONCLUSIONS IMPLEMENTATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered a review of implementation of conclusions taken between Jan.1 and Sept. 30, 2023, or 38 sessions – 24 regular and 14 extraordinary ones.

The review covered 36 institutions, which realised 543 or 88% of total 614 conclusions, while 73 conclusions have not been realised.

Ther review, drafted by the Council of Ministers Secretariat-General, was followed by certain conclusions aimed at acceleration of conclusions implementation and improvement of effectiveness of the Council of Ministers operations.

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