Council of Ministers of BIH Holds Its 71st Session

SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC TRANSITION PROJECT IN COAL-RICH AERAS 

The Council of Ministers of BIH endorsed the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-tabled Initiative and appointed a negotiation delegation for conclusion of a Loan Agreement (Economic Transition in Coal-Rich Areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Bank for Reconstruction and development (IBRD).

The aim of the Project is to extend support for access to a just transition in selected areas rich in coal in the Federation of BIH, with awareness rising on the up-coming process if transition in Zenica, Tuzla, and Banovići and its positive effect in numerous areas.

The Project will be supported by the EBRD loan in amount of USD 84,070,000, allocated to the Federation of BIH, and end debtors are the Federation of BIH for 47%, Public Company of BIH for 19.80% and Banovići Coal Mine for 32.72%.

The exact terms and conditions of the loan will be defined by negotiations, provided that a maximum loan term is 35 years, including up to 19-year grace period.

Upon a completion of negotiations, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will send a Proposal Agreement to the Council of Ministers of BIH.

CHIEF ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OF BIH TO FILL REPORT TO CoMBIH ON ACTIVITIES ON IMPLELEMTNATION OF “VIADUCT” PROCESS DECISION

The session tasked the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH to provide urgently a piece of information to the Council of Ministers of BIH, attached to a review of activities undertaken and proposal further activities on protection of legal and financial interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina as to implementation of the ISCID Tribunal award in the Viaduct Ltd. Portorož, Vladimir Zevnik and Boris Goljevšček vs Bosnia and Herzegovina file, in light of the signed-to Agreement on mutual rights and obligations connected to a relevant arbitrage proceeding between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of Republika Srpska.

The Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of Republika Srpska had earlier concluded an agreement on mutual rights and obligations concerning this arbitrage proceeding, according to which the Government of Republika Srpska got obliged to fulfil unconditionally its payment obligations pursuant to the arbitrage proceeding award on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, upon receipt of a documented request form the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH.

In accordance with the award, dated on Apil 18, 2022, provided earlier by legal representatives of claimant to the Chief Attorney’s Office of BIH, representing claimed Bosnia and Herzegovina, total costs of the arbitrage proceeding were EUR 52,794,412, with interest running on daily basis from the date of award effectiveness.

PROPOSAL FINANCE AGREEMENT CONSIDERED

The Council of Ministers of BIH will reflect at its next session, on a Proposal Agreement on Financing Annual Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2024 between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the Council of Ministers Directorate for European Integrations, after the Directorate for European Integrations comes forward on proposed corrections of conclusions considered at today’s session.

CONSENT TO APPOINTMENT IOF DEFENCE ATTACHÉ OF GREECE IN BIH

The Council of Ministers granted its consent, upon a proposal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for appointment of Colonel Athanasios Gkarelis for Defence Attaché of Greece in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

APPOINTMENTS AND JOB VACANCY AD PUBLICATION

The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on appointment of Ankica Tomić for representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Regional Forum on Initiative for Migrations, Asylum and Refugees Repatriation Regional Centre MARRI, for a four-year term, starting from March 1, 2025.

Upon a proposal by the Ministry of Security, a conclusion was taken on sending Predrag Mirnić as a Liaison Officer of Bosnia and Herzegovina with SECI/SELEC Centre in Bucharest for a two -ear term, starting from March 15, 2025.

Also, Assistant Minister of Security of BIH Ermin Pešto was appointed a State Coordinator for combating human trafficking and illegal migrations, starting form March 15, 2025, tasked for coordination of related activities with relevant domestic and international institutions.

The Council of Ministers tasked the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to start, following relevant regulations, a procedure for selection of a member, from among experts, of Steering Committee with the Indirect Taxation Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and send the proposal to the Council of Ministers of BIH for reflection, since non between two candidates in relevant job vacancy procedure failed to receive support for appointment by the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The Council of Ministers of BIH announced the next session to take place on February 25, 2025, when it plans to consider draft European legislation on the Court of BIH and new text Law on Hight Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (end)

Link for Photos:

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