Sjednice
Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 55th Session
08/25/2022
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, by majority vote, a Proposal Law on Amendments and Supplements to Law on Ombudsman for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, strengthening capacities of the institution.
The Proposal Law, featured by “EI” mark, signals the fulfilment of one among recommendations of the European Commission.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Law enables Ombudsmen to act more strongly also at promotion of human rights, in accordance with the Paris Principle.
The new legal solutions assigns Ombudsmen a Preventive Mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pursuant to an Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Severe, Inhumane and Humiliating Acts or Punishing.
Also, the Amendments and Supplements to the Law strengthens the financial independence of the Ombudsman Institution, and emphasises its role in strengthening cooperation and dialogue with NGO sector and academic community in BIH.
The Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will send, via the Secretariat-General of the Council of Ministers, the Proposal Law to the Parliamentarian Assembly of BIH for consideration under a shortened procedure.
SUPPORT TO WATER SUPPLY PROJECT WITHIN IPA II
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Investment Grant Agreement, worth EUR six million for support to a Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance. The Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BIH will provide the Proposal Agreement with Platform for its conclusion to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Finance and Treasury to act as the BIH signatory thereof.
The Project is a part of a water supply sector programme, and it includes a series of municipal investments for the aim of securing water supply and sanitation services in the Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.
The Project components financed by the EIB, under the Agreement, are Prozor-Rama, Široku Brijeg, Mostar, Gračanica, Tešanj, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje in the FBIH, and Prijedor, Gacko, Šipovo, Brod, Foča, Čelinac, Sokolac and Bileća in Republika Srpska.
EUR 3 MIL GRANT FOR BRČKO PORT
The Council of Ministers defined a Proposal Grant Contract (Brčko Port) with Platform for its conclusion, between BIH and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, referring to an investment grant by the European Joint Fund for Western Balkans.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework grant funds, in amount of EUR 3 million, are connected to EBRD EUR 10 million loan, and represent an additional support to the Rehabilitation and Optimisation of Road and Railway Access to the Brčko Port and infrastructure belonging to it.
The Proposal Contract with a platform for its conclusion will be sent to the BH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury will be the BIH signatory thereof.
INITATIVE ENDORSED FOR CONTRACT WITH EIB
The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed an initiative by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and designated a negotiating delegation for conclusion of a Financial Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Investment Bank for City Transport Sarajevo Project – B.
The project will advance public line passenger transport and boost the construction of city road communications through fourth component, including rehabilitation, reconstruction and modernisation of tramway tracks, renewal of car pool of tramway traffic, construction of city road and transversal sections II (Bare tunnel – Kobilja Glava - Hotonj) and arrangement of trolleybus sections.
The value of the EIB loan, allocated to the Federation of BIH, is EUR 35 million with 20-year term, including grace period of 5 years.
After completed negotiations, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will, in accordance the Law on Borrowing, Debt and Guarantees of BIH, provide a draft contract with platform for its conclusion to the Council of Ministers of BIH.
PLAN AND PROGRAME ADOPTED FOR RETURN OF BIH CITIZENS FROM SYRIA AND IRAQ
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision to adopt a Repatriation Plan and Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Resocialisation Programme of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina after their return from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.
A Coordination Team, comprised of representatives from all-level responsible institutions/agencies of BIH, which prepared the Plan and Programme, will start the implementation thereof upon the receipt of the decision.
The plan and operative document is a scope of reference to individual institutions, immediately involved in tis implementation.
The Repatriation Plan deals with issues of secure, humane and controlled return of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina form Syria and Iraq, security check, identity and citizenship check of individuals covered by repatriation, and diplomatic-consular, legal and humanitarian assistance to citizens of BIH.
The Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Resocialisation Programme for all categories of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina include short, medium and long-term security measures, in addition to health and social protection measures, access to education, economic support and employment, legal assistance in local community and other required measures.
Resources needed for the Plan and Programme implementation will be provided from responsible BIH institutions’ budgets, in addition to donor funds.
SUPPORT TO CONTINUATION OF “PERSPECTIVE” AND “PREVENTION“
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on implementation of both a transition and care taking programme for released military personnel “Perspective” and mental health protection and psychosocial assistance project “Prevention” with the Ministry of Defence of BIH and Armed Forces of BIH in year 2021, and supported the project implementation activities of the Ministry of Defence.
Over the past six-year “perspective” project implementation, assisted were total 138 released individuals and spent total KM 400,595.62. Total unused financial resources of KM 932.804,84 from 2016-2021 will be transferred and joined to funds planned for 2022-2025 period of time.
The 2018 Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Service in Armed Forces of BIH shifted the seniority line and length of professional service for soldiers (up to 40 years of age and 20 years of military service), so that the majority of soldiers will reach the new seniority line in time period 2022-2027 (61 soldiers in 2022, 143 soldiers in 2023, 211 soldiers in 2024, 215 soldiers in 2025, 217 soldiers in 2026, and 242 soldiers in 2027, total 1.089 soldiers.
The Ministry of Defence has been implementing the “Preventive” project for six year now, aimed to provide mental health protection, psychosocial assistance and relaxation of member staff of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of BIH.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY DIGITAL PLATFORM PROJECT
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on the implementation status of a “Economic Diplomacy Digital Platform with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, and urged all relevant institutions of the Council of Ministers of BIH, Entities and Brčko District to support the application and provide relevant data, upon a request by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their posting to the platform.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should, in cooperation with responsible Council of Ministers, Entity and Brčko District institutions, continue to coordinate activities in view of further development of the application and introduction of digitalisation in their operations.
The aim of the project is strengthening of support and promotion of BIH economy.
TO PREVENT SPEECH OF HATRED ON INTERNET
The Council of Ministers tasked the Directorate for European Integrations to follow activities of the EU Council work groups related to an adoption of a Digital Services Single Market Act, and report the Ministry of Justice of its adoption.
The Ministry of Justice of BIH should, upon adoption of the Digital Services Single Market Act and in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Transport, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees and Directorate for European Integrations, develop a normative act on prevention of illegal speech of hatred on Internet, harmonised with the Act.
These conclusions were adopted within consideration and adoption of the Ministry of Justice-tabled piece of information and acting upon a MP’s initiative and as a follow-up to a conclusion of the Council of Ministers from its 23rd session of December 29, 2020.
PREPARATION OF EU-BIH SUB-COMMITTEES MEETINGS
The Council of Ministers adopted a piece of information on holding of the sixth meeting of Sub-Committee for Innovations, IT Society and Social Policy between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to a piece of information on holding of the sixth meeting of Sub-Committee for Justice, Freedom and Security between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Directorate for European Integrations should, in cooperation with responsible BIH institutions and the European Commission services, take all necessary prearrangement moves for holding of the Sub-Committees meetings. The piece of information suggested that talks on a new calendar of meetings are in the process.
The Council of Ministers previously took note of a piece of information on holding of the sixth meeting of Sub-Committee for Agriculture and Fishery between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on June 16, 2022. Competent institutions of the Council of Ministers should act, and Entity, Cantonal and the Brčko District of BIH governments were urged to act as recommended by the European Commission and provide, upon the Directorate request, relevant implementation reports.
2021 ECONOMIC TRENDS REPORT ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a document Bosnia and Herzegovina – Economic Trends – Annual Report 2021“, prepared by the Directorate for Economic Planning.
According to the Document, BIH economic growth in 2021 was 7.1% compared to the year before, and it averaged among the Western Balkans countries.
Relative high economic growth last year was affected by an increase of private consumption of 6.3%, which was more than half of the achieved economic growth.
According to relevant statistics institutions, an increase was evident for the number of employees in 2021 for about 1.3%, real salary for 2.4% and citizens’ remittances from abroad for 20%, with a gradual recovery of loan operations, especially with citizens.
The session adopted several pieces of information by the Directorate for Economic Planning on macroeconomic trends for January-December 2021, January-March 2022 and January-April 2022.
CONTINUED PROMOTION OF eCONSULTATIONS PLATFORM FOR CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC POLICIES
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Justice-tabled report on implementation of Rules for Consultations in development of legal acts for 2021, which suggests that BIH Institutions implemented 528 consultations in development of legal acts in 2021, and published 438 reports on consultations.
The e-Consultations web application has 65 registered institutions, one more than last year, and all BIH institutions designated their coordinators and their alternates, together with 39 consultations holders.
There were 354 reported participants in public debates in 2021, of which 177 took part in the consultations. Incoming proposals were total 692, of which the institutions accepted 83.
Although the number of registered legal and natural persons at web consultations increases continuously (last year there were 2.972 registered legal and natural persons), promotion of the platform will continue in order to ensure a higher citizen participation in creation and implementation of public policies.
The Ministry of Justice of BIH should organise, together with the Civil Service Agency of BIH, training courses on implementation of consultations via web platform eConsultations for coordinators, alternate coordinators and consultations holders from BIH Institutions, by the end of 2023.
DEMINING PLAN FOR 2022 ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed 2022 Bosnia and Herzegovina Demining Plan, endorsed by the Demining Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Plan is directed to decrease of suspicious dangerous surfaces, removal of mines and unexploded devices left after the war, and decrease of numbers of citizens exposed to a direct risk of surfaces under mines.
The plan was harmonised with previously adopted 2018-2015 Anti-Mine Action Strategy.
The Demining Centre of BIH will manage the Demining plan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following recommendations of the Demining Committee of BIH.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is among counties facing a serious issue of mines, and according to estimates of January 2022, suspicious and dangerous surface is of 9.22,37 square km, which is 1.8% relevant to the total surface. The extent of suspicious cassette ammunition-related dangerous surface is 1.45 square km.
DRAFT BIH INSTITUTIONS DEVELOPMENT-INVESTMENT PROGRAMME ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-proposed Draft Public Investments/Development Investments Programme of BIH Institutions for 2023-2025.
After the BIH Institutions up-date projects following newly developed changes and those made in the Law on Budget of BIH Institutions and International Obligations drafting process, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will send a Draft Public Investments/Development-Investment Programme of BIH Institutions to the Council of Ministers of BIH for adoption.
The Draft Programme includes data on total 279 projects of total value of KM 4 billion and 415.11 million, of which KM 3 billion and 844.91 million refers to investments to capital projects, and KM 570.20 million refers to investments to institutional projects. The value of the projects directly contributing to socio-economic development is KM 2 billion and 830.65 million.
ORGANISED CRIME RISK EVALUATION ADOPTED
A 2021 Bosnia and Herzegovina Organised Crime Risk Evaluation was adopted, and a work group tasked to develop a strategy for combating organised crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina and present it to the Council of Ministers of BIH within 90 day time. A Risk Assessment resume should be published at the Ministry of Security web page was approved.
Although the document recognises a fall of certain criminal activities, such as property crime, human trafficking and trade in people, evidenced was a worrying growth of almost all other criminal activities, followed by an increase of number of registered organised criminal groups. The work group identified as the most notable criminal, such as threats trade with narcotics, smuggling of people, economic crime, corruption, trade in arms, computer crime, trade in people and property crime. It was concluded that there is in BIH a significant number of organised criminal groups, very well networked and with a fluid cooperation. An analysis of data collected found that a higher number of organised criminal groups carry out their activities in BIH only. On the other side, criminal groups from the wider Balkan region act in the territory of BIH. They have their branches in BIH through which they realise their criminal activities.
INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND ATTRACTION AFTERCARE PROGRAMME
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of 2021 Aftercare Programme Analysis, with recommendation for improvement of business environment (open issues), to be posted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency at its official web page.
The FIPA was supported for further, increased pro-active engagement and cooperation with responsible institutions from its scope of work, which includes an exchange of needed data, meetings arrangement and other forms of cooperation for the purpose of implementation of prosed recommendations.
According to the FIPA Analysis, the Aftercare Programme represents the most effective and most economic activities in promotion and attraction of foreign investments.
In 2013, FIPA started an advanced Post-investment support programme, with support of the International Financial Corporation, member of the WB Group, establishing an institutional cooperation in BIH through a cooperation network that includes all-level authorities. In 2021, the cooperation network included 42 members.
From 2013 on, FIPA actively participated in 875 assistance or support operations for ad hoc issues, aimed at problem-solving assistance to foreign investors.
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BIH ACTIVITY REPORT ADOPTED
The session adopted an Activity Report of the Council of Ministers of BIH for 2021, when 43 sessions were held, of which 22 regular and 21 extraordinary ones, with 858 items of agenda were considered.
The most important task of the Council of Ministers in 2021, as well as in 2020, was to find timely and adequate measures, in coordination with other authority levels in BIH, to save lives and health of citizens, and to preserve real sector and employment.
The Council of Ministers of BIH showed last year its dedication to contribute to an acceleration of reform processes, so that BIH might start the EU accession negotiations, in accordance with constitutional competences of all levels of authority, internal agreement in BIH and without imposition of solutions.
According to the report, Bosnia and Herzegovina succeeded in 2021, despite Corona virus pandemics, to maintain macroeconomic and fiscal stability, while a considerable growth was made in 2021. The average real GDP growth in 2021, in relation to 2020, was 7.2%