Sjednice
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 26th Session
10/18/2023
Today's session defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Mutual Exemption from Visa Requirement.
By conclusion of the Memorandum citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be exempted from visa requirement for entry to the United Arab Emirates, where they may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day time period. The same way citizens of the United Arab Emirates were earlier exempted from visa for entry, exit, transit and stay in territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was confirmed by the Memorandum.
BIH Citizens were enabled simpler and cheaper travel to the United Arab Emirates for touristic or business purposes.
The Proposal Memorandum and Proposal Platform for its conclusion, along with a proposal for its temporary application will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be the BIH signatory thereof.
ADDITIONAL FINANCING FOR INTEGRAL SAVA AND DRINA CORRIDORS DEVELOPMENT
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Loan Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (Additional Financing for Integral Drina and Sava Corridors Development, by application of franchise programmatic approach (MPA)).
It is about a 30-year term with seven-year grace period EUR 37 million worth loan, in shares of EUR 25 million for the Brčko District of BIH and EUR 12 million for the Federation of BIH.
The Project, to be implemented within the MPA first phase in the Federation and Brčko District of BIH, should strengthen cross-border cooperation in water sector, improve navigability and flood defence in corridors of the Rivers Sad and Drina, and protect environment.
An earlier concluded Loan Agreement (Integral Drina and Sava Corridors Development Programme, by MPA application between Bosnia and Herzegovina and IBRD), worth EUR 30 million is in the process of implementation in Republika Srpska since 2021.
The Proposal Agreement will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury will be the BIH signatory thereof.
DISTRICT HEATING MODERNISATION PROJECT FOR MUNICIPALITY OF PALE APPROVED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted, in the second round of voting, an Initiative by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and designated negotiating delegation for conclusion of a Loan Contract (Municipality of Pale District Heating Modernisation Project) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The aim of the Project is moving the existing heating plant and development of a new district heating plant at new site, for the reason of modernisation of central heating system in Pale.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides a loan to Bosnia and Herzegovina worth EUR 7 million, allocated to Republika Srpska, with 15-year term and three year-grace period.
The first and second development phase of heating pipeline between the existing and future pipeline was financed by the Municipality of Pale from its budget resources, opening the way for the district heating system modernisation. More than KM 2 million were invested, and conditions were created for an urgent implementation of the Project to benefit local population.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will, after completed negotiations, provide a Draft Agreement, with Platform for its conclusion to the Council of Ministers of BIH, in accordance with the Law on Borrowing, Debt and Guarantees of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
RATIFICATION CONTRACT FOR OF CITIY TRANSPORT PROEJCT IN SARAJEVO
The Council of Minister of BIH defined, in the second round of vote a Proposal Decision on ratification of a Finance Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Investment Bank for Sarajevo City Transport Project – B (FI N94.965. signed on May 22 and June 15, 2023 in Sarajevo and Luxembourg.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BIH will provide the Proposal Decision to the BIH Presidency for father ratification procedure.
BIH AND BULGARIA TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
The Ministry of Security of BIH will provide a Proposal Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on Cooperation in Emergency Situations to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, with proposal for the Minister of Security as the BIH signatory thereof.
Earlier, the Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a negotiations report as to defining text of the Agreement, which strengthens cooperation in the area of planning, prevention, aiding and support in cases of natural and other disasters, under principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN BRČKO DISTRICT
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Platform for conclusion of a Contract on Amendments and Supplements No. 1 to a Contract of April 12, 2022 (Green Cities 2 - Window II - Brčko Water Supply) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
It is an additional EBRD loan, worth EUR 6.5 million, same as the original loan, so that the total indebtedness is EUR 13 million, allocated to the Brčko District of BIH.
The project is to be implemented for the aim for improvement of the existing water supply system in the city of Brčko and surrounding communities, with creation of technical requirements for its further expansion.
The loan repayment term is 15 years, same as with the earlier approved one, including three year-grace period.
The Proposal Platform will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Finance and Treasury will be the BIH signatory thereof.
ACCEPTANCE AND RATIFICTION OF UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION DOCUMENTS
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Platform for acceptance and ratification of regulations of the Universal Postal Union – UPU, adopted at the 27th UPU Congress of 2021, in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).
The Ministry of Communications and Transport will provide the Proposal Platform to the BIH Presidency for further adoption procedure.
By accepting the UPU regulations, Bosnia and Herzegovina fulfils obligations taken up by its membership in the Universal Postal Union, and enables equal participation at international postal services market.
IT is also to ensure economic sustainability of postal operators and universal postal services in line with international standards and achieved ICT progress.
GENDER ACTION PLAN ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees-proposed decision to adopt a 2023-2027 Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina (GAP BIH) with Operative Plan of BIH Institutions for its implementation.
Earlier, the Governments of the Federation of BIH, Republika Srpska and Brčko District of BIH granted their consent to the text 2023-2027Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represents a framework strategic document and provides guidelines for development of operative plans of all-level institutions in BIH.
The Gender Action Plan of BIH includes aims, programmes and measures for achieving gender equality in all areas of social life and work, while the Operative Plan defines activities to be implemented by relevant institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina within precise deadline scheme by the end of 2027.
The GAP BIH relies on three strategic aims, including development, implementation and monitoring of programmatic measures for improvement of gender equality in institutions of government by priority areas, development, and system, mechanisms and instruments up-grading for achieving gender equality, and cooperation and partnership.
The adoption of GAP BIH is an obligation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stemmed from international and domestic gender equality documents.
The Ministry for Human Rights and Refuges Agency for Gender Equality of BIH is responsible for monitoring of the Gender Action Plan of BIH implementation,
FUNCTIONAL CHANGE IN COMMITTEES FOR EOCONOMY AND INTENRAL POLICY
Upon a proposal by the Office of Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BIH, several decisions were taken on amendments of two decisions, relating to appointment of Chairman and Deputy Chairman and members of the Committee for Economy and Committee for Internal Policy of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Appointed member of the Committees is Director of the Directorate for European Integrations Elvira Habota, replacing the previous one Edin Dilberović, who was discharged from his duty at the 23 session of the Council of Ministers.
BIH DELGATION IN COUNCIL Of EUROPE SPORTS EVENTS SECURITY AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed decision to designate a Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Sports Events Security and Protection Committee under the Council of Europe, as an observer.
The six-member delegation includes representatives of state Ministries of Civil Affairs and Security, Entity Ministries of Interior and Football Federation of BIH. The delegation will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Council of Europe Sports Events Security and Protection Committee in an observer status, in addition to participation in work of the Committee and of tis advisory temporary/ad hoc work groups, but without voting power.
The Committee is in charge for implementation of a new Council of Europe Convention on integrated approach to security, protection and services at football matches and other sports events, known as the Saint-Denis Convention, i.e. Convention No. 218.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently in the phase of compiling opinions from responsible institutions in order to access the Convention.
Earlier, Bosnia and Herzegovina had become a member of the 1995 European Convention on Violence and Viewers Misconduct at Sports Events, especially football matches (Convention No. 120).
MONITORING OF PREVENTION AND COUNTERING TERRORISM STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision to set-up a Coordination Body for monitoring implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Strategy for Prevention and Countering Terrorism and its belonging Action Plans for 2021-2026, with corrections made at the session.
The Coordination Body is comprised of representatives form competent State. Entity and Brčko District of BIH institutions and bodies, as the Body members and deputy members, responsible for monitoring of implementation of the 2021-2026 BIH Strategy for Prevention and Countering Terrorism.
Simultaneously, the Body will report annually to the Council of Ministers of BIH on progress of the Strategy implementation, and develop proposal new measures, programmes and projects for the purpose of a full realisation of the Strategy basic aims, vision, and mission.
The Ministry of Security of BIH will arrange a meeting of the Coordination Body within 15 days from the Decision taking effect.
APPOINTMETNS AND MANDATES EXPIRY
The Council of Ministers adopted the Ministry of Civil Affairs-tabled report on a public ad procedure implemented for appointment of five members of the Centre for Information and High Education Documents Recognition (CIP) Steering Board.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs will rely on the Law on Ministerial Appointments, Appointments in the Council of Ministers and Other Appointments in BIH and on Statue of the Centre for Information and High Education Documents Recognition in implementation of a procedure for selection of three members of the Steering Board, and will, following the implemented procedure, propose candidates for appointment to the Centre Steering Board to the Council of Ministers of BIH.
Simultaneously, appointed members of the Centre Steering Board for a three year term were Nina Sajić from Serb people and Helena Lončar from Croat people.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs will take a relevant decision, in cooperation with the Legislative Office of BIH, on release form duty of two members of the Centre from Serb and Croat people, whose mandate expired.
According to the report, a job vacancy ad was published for five members of CIP, whose mandate got expired, but no Bosniak candidate applied, and a candidate from minority people scored insufficiently to get to the best candidates rank list.
The Council of Ministers appointed Maja Stojkić for Manager, while Milana Popržen was appointed Deputy Manager of the Agency for Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Education in BIH for a four-year term, starting from November 1, 2023, as the best ranked candidates at the job vacancy public ad procedure, after previous Manager and Deputy Manager were released from their duties.
Aida Terzić was appointed the Agency Deputy Acting Manager, until the end of the job vacancy procedure, for three months at longest, starting from November 1, 2023, and previous Deputy Manager was released from her duty.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs will publish a job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of Deputy Director of the Agency for Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Education of BIH. The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Vedad Hindija for Acting Director of the Agency for Labour and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina until the end of job vacancy procedure, for a three months at longest, starting from November 1, 2023.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs will publish a job vacancy ad for selection and appointment of a Manager of the Agency for Labour and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the Law on Ministerial Appointments, Appointments in Council of Ministers and Other Appointments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In accordance with opinion of the Agency for Civil Service of BIH, the Council of Ministers appointed Haris Memić for Deputy Director of the Institute for Measurement of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the first ranked candidate in relevant job vacancy procedure. Earlier, the previous Deputy Manger was released from his duty due to his mandate expiry. (end)
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