Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 3rd Session
01/31/2020
The Council of Ministers of BIH Defined a Proposal Law on Supplements to the Law on Infringements, thus harmonising it with the Law on Road Traffic Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Law Supplements Law will remove the problem of different law application concerning fine revenues allocation, and will harmonise provisions applied by authorised bodies and courts on awarding the criminal sanctions.
The Minister of Justice will provide the Proposal Law to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly for consideration under the regular legislative procedure.
LAW HARMONSIED WITH BIH CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISIONS
The Council of Ministers defined a Proposal Law on Supplements to the Law on Salaries and other Emoluments in Judicial and Prosecutorial intuitions at the state level, which implement to Conditional Court decisions.
Under the Supplement Law, judges and prosecutors and certain categories of expert staff in judicial institutions at Bosnia and Hercegovina level, will get reimbursements for meals, transport to/from work place, accommodation and separation from family, in accordance with the Law on Salaries and Emoluments in BIH Intuitions and accompanying by-laws.
More than KM 3 million was paid from the BIH Institutions Budget for compensations after won court procedures for execution of rights under relevant employment status in judiciary, in accordance with decision by the BIH Constitutional Court.
The Law implementation requires KM 1,187,873.00 annually, while provisions of the Council of Ministers decisions, regulating ways and procedures of realising these emoluments for employees in the BIH Institutions, were used for assessment of the required additional funds.
The Ministry of Justice of BIH will provide the Proposal Law to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly for consideration under regular legislative procedure.
ADOPTED 2020-2022 SOCIO-ECONOMIC REFORMS IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a document titled “2020-2022 Socio—Economic Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, previously adopted by the Governments of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BIH, and Brčko District of BIH.
The key measures from the document are directed to sustainable and accelerated economic growth, higher competitiveness of the private sector, and better business environment, removal of politics and increased effectiveness in public enterprises, health system reform, stopping emigration of young people, and enabling the youth and women to reach their full potential.
The measures will be implemented in accordance with constitutional competences of each authority level and elaborated in cooperation with the European Union and international financial institutions, which will contribute to the harmonisation in the country with demands underlying the accession to the European Union and consequently accelerate the accession process.
The implementation of the planned socio-economic reforms will contribute to implementation of a Multi-Annual Action Plan of Regional Economic Zone (RAE MAP), based on the EU standards and will facilitate BIH integration into regional and European value frames. A better connectedness with the neighbouring countries in the area of transport and energy will additionally strengthen the country’s accession and integration into the regional market. The creation of the regional digital space and better integrated labour markets with the neighbouring economies will enable new opportunities for youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is important in the light of their high unemployment level.
All authority levels will make their utmost to improve cooperation and coordination in legislation harmonisation as much as possible, and strengthen the single economic space in the country. It will be realised by boosting coordination of all levels of authority, as pointed in the European Commission opinion to BIH request for EU membership.
2020-2022 ECONOMIC REFORMS PROGRAMME
The Council of Ministers of BIH, adopted BIH 2020-2022 Economic Reforms Programme (PER BIH 2020-2022), proposed by the Directorate for Economic Planning of BIH.
The 2020-2022 Economic Reforms Programme was drafted along the European Commission guidelines, and it contains of both mid-term macro-economic framework and fiscal policy framework, including fiscal measures and comprehensive structural reforms programme, aimed at the improvement of country’s economy growth and competitiveness
The Directorate for Economic Planning was tasked to translate the document into English language and provide it to the Directorate for European Integrations which should pass it to the European Commission by January 31, 2020, at latest.
BIH AND CROATIA STRENGTHEN THEIR COOPERATION IN AIR TRAFFIC
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement on delegation of responsibility for service provision in the air traffic between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Croatia, with an aim at service provision in air traffic, in accordance with the Single European Skies legislation.
The purpose of the Agreement is to regulate legal and institutional aspects of delegating of responsibilities for service provision in air traffic. Its conclusion will not bring into question the principle that each state has its full exclusive sovereignty in the air space over its territory, nor ability of each state to execute its authorisations in terms of security and defence within its air space.
The Proposal Agreement with a Negotiation Report will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the BIH Minister of Communications and Transport for the BIH signatory thereof.
BIH AND SERBIA REMOVE OBSTACLES FOR JOINT MAINTENANCE OF BRIDGES
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the Republic of Serbia on maintenance and reconstruction of road bridges between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia, which will secure a continuous and sooth traffic over the bridges on the border between the two states.
The conclusion of the Agreement will remove the obstacles and difficulties concerning the joint maintenance and reconstruction do 11 inter-state bridges on the BIH - Serbia border.
Under the Agreement, BIH takes up the maintenance and reconstruction of 5 bridges, as follows: the bride over the River Sava at Sremska Rača/Rača (road bridge); bridge on the River Sava at Sremska Rača/Rača (Passenger-railway bridge); bridge over the Uvac River – Gate 2 (entrance into free zone); bridge over the Uvac River at Carevo Polje, and bridge over the Uvac River at Uvac.
The Republic of Serbia took up the maintenance and reconstruction of the remaining six bridges between the two states.
Earlier preliminary estimated cost of maintenance of all 11 bridges was KM 12,908,478, and the total amount of expenses for BIH was estimated at KM 4,205,035. The funds need to be planned by 2020.
The Proposal Agreement and Negotiation Report will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Communications and Transport was proposed for the BIH Signatory thereof.
TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMY
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined Proposal Platform for launching a procedure for accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol to Vienna Convention on Protection of Ozone Cover, referring to the first degree decrease of use of chlorofluorocarbon –HFC- substances.
This way BIH takes up an important step in implementation of the EU acquis on environmental protection and creates conditions for a sustainable development of BIH economy, in addition to obtaining environment protection assistance for economy and public administration.
By the ratification of the Amendment, BIH will, as a developing country, establish a system of the substances export/import permits, including a use report, which has been done since 2016 within the EU accession process.
Also, control measures will be introduced for setting the baseline production level for 2020-2024 time period and frizzing the production at the same level set by year 2024.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will provide the Proposal Platform to the BIH Presidency for further approval procedure.
ENDORSED EUR 6.5 MIL. BRČKO WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed an initiative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and appointed negotiating delegation for the purpose of concluding a Loan Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Brčko Water Supply Project, worth EUR 6.5 million.
The Project realisation will create conditions for an improved operation of the existing water supply system of the Brčko town and suburb communities, and will create technical prerequisites for further enhancement thereof.
The Project provides for construction of the 14 km long main pipeline (GTC) Plazulje –Potočari and a part of pipeline grid for the needs of water supply of the town, suburbs and industrial zones, in addition to communities to the East and West part of the Brčko District.
The loan term is 15 years with here-year grace period, and funds were allocated to the Brčko District of BIH.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will, after finalised negotiations, provide a Draft Agreement to the Council of Ministers for consideration, in accordance to the Law on Indebting, Debt and Guarantees of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
BASIC SALARIES SET FOR DIPLOMATIC-CONSULAR OFFICES
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on base salary in the diplomatic-consular representative offices (DKP) in BIH in 2019, upon a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The proposal salary basics in the DKPs of BIH was accounted based on average index figures of the United Nations on average living costs in 2018. As a starting value, the basic salary level for New York in amount of KM 1,630 was taken, to replace the previous amount of 1,641, so the basic salary in 31 DPKs will be decreased accordingly, while it will increase in 25 others, relevant to year 2018.
The assessed funds needed for the Decision implementation are KM 14.5 million.
POLICE CADETS ADMITTED TO SIPA
The Council of Ministers took a decision on planned cadets’ admission to police agencies at the level of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2020, upon a proposal of the Ministry of Security.
The plan provides for hiring 10 cadets – young inspectors to the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the administrative organisation under the Ministry of Security.
APPROVED BRIDGES MAINTENANCE PROJECT AT BORDER WITH CROATIA
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to approve multi—year bridges maintenance project at border with the Republic of Croatia. The implementation time span of the Project is 2020-2024, and it covers the maintenance of 7 bridges at the Rivers Sava and Una. The total amount of project funds is KM 2,000,000 to be secured from the Budget of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations of BIH, in KM 400,000 ratios for each project year. The Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH and Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BIH are responsible for the implementation of the Decision.
ADDIITONAL KM 7 MIL. APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BORDER-CROSSING SVILAJ
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Decision on Amendments and Supplement to the Decision on Approving the Project of procurement and construction of Indirect Taxation Administration HQ and regional centres’ facilities, as well as construction and reconstruction of border-crossing, approving the Indirect Taxation Administration of BIH additional KM 7,000,000 for construction of the Svijal-Donji Svijal border-crossing. The funds will be secured partially from the succession proceedings based on collection of clearing debt from the Russian Federation in 2020, and partially from the 2021 Budget.
PROLONGATION OF ELETRONIC SIGNATURE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision amending the decision on implementation of the Law on Customs Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which prolongs for July 2021 the start of application of electronic signature based on electronic certificate at electronic customs declaration. The reason for the prolongation is that the issuance of qualified electronic confirmations for use of advanced electronic signature has not taken hold properly, in accordance with the law on Electronic Signature.
The Council of Ministers tasked the Indirect Taxation Administration and Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH to take, from the start of the Decision application, all required activities from their responsibilities for certification of Indirect Taxation Administration for service provision concerning the electronic signature based on qualified conformation, and to draft an action plan and report the Council of Ministers on the realised activities.
UP-DATING OF ASSESSED VULNERABILITY OF BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information of the Ministry of Security on up-dating of the existing vulnerability assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina to natural and other disasters.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina vulnerability to natural and other disasters assessment is a document defining the dangers and risks of all kinds which may threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina, its people, property, critical infrastructure, natural environment, which may be caused by natural and other disasters both those in BIH, as well as those having cross-border effects, in addition to assessing the needs and capabilities for prevention, decrease and removal of disasters and serious accidents aftermaths. The revision used results, findings and recommendations of Flood and Land Slides Risk Assessment for the housing sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2015), Land Slides Risk Management Assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016), and Risk and Danger Maps in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016). All mentioned sources are the result of scientific analysis using the newest data available after 2014 floods, and they were developed in cooperation with relevant institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Entities.
The Council of Ministers of BIH tasked the Ministry of Security of BIH to coordinate activities for implementation of conclusions and recommendation from workshops on up-dating the Bosnia and Herzegovina vulnerability to natural and other disasters assessment, and to harmonise Methodology for drafting Bosnia and Herzegovina vulnerability risk to natural and other disasters, in accordance with the EU Risk Assessment Methodology.
ACTICITY REPORT ON JOINT COMMITTEE FOR ALLOCATION OF EX-SFRY DKP
PROPERTY
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-proposed Activity Report of the Joint Committee for Division of Diplomatic-Consular Property of Ex-SFRY for 2018.-April 2019.
The authorised representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Joint Committee for Implementation of the Agreement on Succession Issues Annex B is tasked to continue activities on realisation of all up-coming obligations of the Committee.
Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorised BIH representative in the Committee are responsible to draft a proposal decision on reconstruction and rehabilitation of facilities got in the succession process of the Ex-SFRY diplomatic–consular property, for the purpose of the use thereof for the needs of BIH diplomatic-consular offices, as well as on funds secured under the Council of Ministers of BIH decisions on joint sales of the property not interesting to any of the successor states, and send it to the Council of Ministers for consideration and adoption
Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorised BIH representative are obliged to, for the aim of final decision-making on property ownership and registering of the property owned by Bosnia and Herzegovina, prepare a Proposal Initiative on a buy-off and taking over the Republic of Croatia’s part on a building in Algeria - to be realised form from the Ex-SFRY diplomatic-consular offices succession - and send it to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.
MEETING OF SUB-COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ISSUES AND STATISTICS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information, prepared by the Directorate for European Integrations of BIH, on the fourth meeting of Sub-Committee for Economic and Financial Issues and Statistics, held in Brussels, on November 19-20.
Adopted were documents on recommendations and follow-up activities which the European Commission provided after the delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union onsidered the current economic and fiscal development status and progress in terms of functional market economy.
The Council of Ministers tasked the BIH level competent institutions and urged Entity, cantonal and Brčko District Governments to act, within the shortest time possible, in accordance with the EU recommendations and report the Directorate of realisation of their actions.
The responsible institutions under the Council of Ministers of BIH are tasked, while the Entity, cantonal and Brčko District Governments are urged to prepare information and documents requested at the fourth meeting of the Committee, held in Brussels, The Directorate for European Integrations is tasked to provide to the EU the relevant information and documents to be received from the responsible institutions.
REALISATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AIMS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Third Information on continuation of activities on realisation of sustainable development aims, prepared by the Directorate for Economic Planning of BIH.
In the January-October 2019 report which refers to the current and future activities, the Directorate points that in the reported period of time, intensive activities unfolded on drafting a voluntary report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Agenda 2030 and development aims implementation, as well as on development of Framework Aims of Sustainable Development in BIH. Agreed was an Up-Dated Road Map with a time line for aims implementation planning.
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Up-Dated Road Map and tasked the Directorate to prepare a decision of the Council of Ministers of BIH on appointment of BIH Institutions’ work group for realisation of sustainable development aims activities and development of a 2030 Strategic Framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to contain a portfolio of guiding aims for development of a Mid-Term Programme of the Council of Ministers of BIH and mid-term work plans of BIH Institutions.
ADOPTED INTEGRATED BIH BORDERS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-proposed Integrated Border management in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2019-2023 an Action Plan for its implementation.
The adoption of the Strategy creates conditions for a whole process of integrated border management in BIH to get harmonised and adjusted to the European Union acquis.
A new concept will contribute to strengthening of partnership, stability and economic prosperity both in BIH and the region, in addition to a better coordination and cooperation among all relevant services and agencies included into the border surveillance and control.
The realisation of the Strategy aims will provide for a more functional and effective BIH border management system, which will result in increased general security in BIH and of its borders, and facilitated movement of people, goods and transport means across the border.
The Action Plan defines concrete tasks with measures, activities and deadlines, responsible administrative bodies, and it points at financial sources for realisation of achieved aims.
INCREASED NUMBER OF PIPELINE WATER CONSUMERS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations document titled “Basic analyse of situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina for implementation of the Protocol of Waters and Health under UN Convention on Protection and Use of transboundary Water Courses and International Lakes”, which represents a breakdown of the situation and data availability in these areas.
The document analyses the drinking water quality, sanitary-technical conditions of water supply and sewage, water eco-systems quality and protection, sustainable use of water eco-systems and the relevant reporting system, and it defines the Protocol-based aims. The aims are, among other things, quality of drinking water provided, taking care of the World Health Organisation Drinking Water Guidelines, as well as decrease of epidemics’ volume and Water-connected diseases.
Minister of Civil Affairs Aknica Gudeljević informed the Council of Ministers of BIH on the epidemics of Corona virus and activities the BIH Institutions take in regard to that.
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