Sjednice
The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 39th Session
06/11/2021
The Council of Ministers of BIH unanimously took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on amendments and supplements to the Decision on additional requirements for entry of foreigners to Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus facilitating foreigners' entry, avoiding threats to citizens’ health and preserving the BIH economy.
The Amendments and Supplements to the Decision regulate that foreigners may enter BIH if showing negative PCR test at border crossings or quick autoallergy test to Sars-Cov-2 virus, not older than 48 hours if they arrive from European countries and not older than 72 hours if they arrive from other countries, on entering BIH.
Also, an entry is allowed for foreigners if they show a certificate on vaccination by two doses of vaccines against Covid-19 taken at least 14 days before their entry to BIH or on vaccination with one dose 14 days before crossing the BIH border in case of single dose vaccines.
An entry to BIH is allowed to foreigners with a medical confirmation that he/she recovered from the disease in time period from 14 to 180 days before crossing BIH border.
These measures do not apply to children up to seven years of age accompanied by parents or guardians holding one of four required proofs, as well as to foreigners with approved temporary or permanent stay in BIH if they return to Bosnia and Herzegovina after leaving it and staying only in Montenegro, Republic of Croatia and Republic of Serbia, under condition that the total stay in these counties lasted less than 48 hours from leaving the territory of BIH, which can be proved by entry/exit stamp on travel document.
Also these requirements do not apply to citizens of the Republic of Turkey crossing the BIH border on daily basis for the purpose of construction of the Rača Bridge within motorway construction Sarajevo-Belgrade-Sarajevo, according to a staff list to be provided by the BIH Ministry of Communications and Transport.
The decision takes effect on the day of its adoption and will be published in the „Official Gazette of BIH“.
Earlier regulations remain in force, allowing the entry to BIH to citizens of neighbouring countries, Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro without showing PCR/quick antigen test, vaccination certificate, or Covid-19 recovery certificate.
The Council of Ministers of BIH, with eight votes for and two negative, failed to take Decision on amendments and Supplements to the Decision on visas, and decision on obligatory application of preferential treatment of domestic in public procurement procedures.
The Council of Ministers will vote on these decision again the in the second round of vote.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION OF SARAJEVO-BELGRADE-SARAJEVO MOTORWAY/FAST ROAD CONSTRUCTION
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tasyapi Company from the Republic of Turkey (Tasyapi Insaat Taahhut Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.) for the aim of promotion of cooperation between BIH and Turkey in road infrastructure.
The Memorandum is aimed primarily for establishment of cooperation for the construction and implementation of motorway/fast road Sarajevo-Belgrade-Sarajevo projects.
A possibility is also opened for cooperation on projects of construction and reconstruction of other road infrastructure in Repubilika Sprska, the Federation of BIH and Brčko District of BIH.
This way, operative activities will be launched for implementation of both the Memorandum of Understanding between BIH and Turkey on cooperation in infrastructure projects and Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in infrastructure and civil construction projects, in accordance with the existing regulations of BIH.
The Proposal Memorandum will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Communications and Transport was proposed for the BIH signatory.
ALLOWED ENTRY AND STAY IN BIH UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Security-proposed decision on allowing an entry and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina under special conditions of citizens of the Republic of Serbia, pupils of primary schools from Kosovo, not in possession of valid travel documents, in time period of June 19-27, 2021, for a study travel - excursion.
It is about 579 pupils aged 10-15, whose arrival was organised in two groups, and during their seven-day stay they will be accommodated in local communities in Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of BIH.
The organiser of the visit is Banja Luka—based humanitarian association “Committee for Assistance to Kosovo and Metohija”. The pupils are obliged during their stay in BIH to comply with instructions by authorised bodies of BIH and epidemiologic and health services.
EU REDIRECTS EUR 18 MIL. FROM IPA II FOR POST-COVIND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined Proposal Supplements to Finance Agreement for 2019 Bosnia and Herzegovina Annual Action Programme between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented by the Council of Ministers Directorate for European Integrations, with basics for its conclusion.
The European Union wants to secure support to BIH economic recovery, namely, EUR 14 mil. “EU4SMEs” and EUR 4 mil. “EU4Trade” from redirected funds from the “EU4Energy” and “EU4Transport”.
The total value of the annual BIH action programme remains the same, EUR 85,490,154, like the overall EU contribution in amount of EUR 81,898,200.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will send the proposal Supplement to the BH Presidency for further procedure, and the Director of the Directorate for European Integrations was proposed for the BIH signatory.
CoM ADOPTS 2020 ACTVITY REPORT
The Council of Ministers adopted the Secretariat-General-proposed Action Plan of the Council of Ministers of BIH for year 2020, marked by Covid-19 pandemics, and will provide it to the BIH Parliamentarian Assembly.
So, earlier plans were being revised and constantly amended according to daily challenges faced by the Council of Ministers.
The top priority task of the Council of Ministers of BIH last year was to coordinate with other BIH authority levels development of adequate and timely measures to primarily all save lives and health of citizens, simultaneously safeguarding real sector and employment.
Through budget savings and changes to public spending structure, the Council of Ministers of BIH created a fiscal space for pandemics response, supporting all.-level authorities in BIH.
The focus of the Council of Ministers work in the European integrations process was to fulfil commitments related to getting a candidate status, which led to opening of a new relationship between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union.
Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to preserve macroeconomic and fiscal stability last year, despite Covid-19 pandemics.
An intention of the Council of Ministers was to be an integration factor within BIH, which was certainly proved by its activities in 2020, because relations between Entity authorities and BIH level authorities were improved considerably by way of coordination of different policies.
The Council of Ministers of BIH last year held 36 sessions, of which 17 extraordinary ones, it considered 935 items of agenda. Three proposal laws were defined, three strategies adopted, 149 decisions taken, 42 proposal contracts, agreements, protocols and memorandums were defined, together with 20 proposal platforms for conclusion of international treaties, while 180 pieces of information and 76 reports were adopted.
MIGRANT CRISIS IN MARCH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information of the Ministry of Security on situation with migrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina for March 2021, which will be passed to the BIH Presidency and Parliamentarian Assembly.
The Service for Foreigners’ Affairs got reported total 2,644 illegal migrants in the first quarter of the year, which is 41% less than in the same period 2020, when 4,444 were reported. Out of that number, reported in March were 1,199 migrants, or 341 less than in March last year, when 1,540 were reported. The number of reported illegal migrants this March was higher for 55% than in February 2021.
Afghans (35.8%) and Pakistani (32.2%) predominate the structure of illegal migrants and together they make up 68% of registered migrants in the first quarter of this year.
An intention to file for asylum in the first quarter this year was reported by 2,372 persons, of which 36 filled for asylum, in March 1,103 persons declared their intention, and only 10 filled for asylum in BIH or 1% of those stating their intention to do so.
Also in time from January to end March this year, the engagement of police officers on surveillance of the state border was increased relative to the first quarter year before. So, this year, on daily basis engaged are total 2012 border police officers, compared to 187 in the same period of time last year.
In the first three months this year, reported were 33 cases of an attempted crossing of state border by way of hiding migrants in cargo space of cargo motor vehicles, in which discovered were 94 persons, mostly on their exist from BIH. Also discovered were 79 forged documents, among which 26 were detected with citizens from counties of a high migration risk.
The Service for Foreigners’ Affairs moved from the BIH territory total 171 persons back to their counties of origin, the majority of which left BIH voluntarily though the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (AVRR), and though Readmission agreements.
ADOPTED 2021 Q1 BUDGET EXECUTION REPORT
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Budget Execution Report of the BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH for January-March 2021, to be posted at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury web site.
Total realised revenues, financing and receivables at disposal of BIH Institutions in the QI 2021 were KM 225,738,707 or 97% in relation to ¼ of planned revenues, financing and receivables in 2020 Budget.
In the reported period of time, expenditures and costs of BIH Institutions were KM 223,330,650 or 96% in relation to ¼ of 2020 Budget, without special purpose funds, or 51% in relation to corrected Budget that included special purpose funds.
The financing of BIH Institutions in the QI was based on a Decision on temporary financing of BIH Institutions and international obligations of BIH for January-March 2021, and as to the planned revenues level, IQ 2020 level was taken as a sample.
Salaries of employees in BIH Institutions remained at the second half of 2012 level, and savings were made to supplies costs, made possible due to application of single rulebook of the Council of Ministers of BIH, under which institutions cut rights of employees to entertainment costs, costs for fixed and mobile phones and use of official vehicles.
In the QI 2021, foreign debt obligations were served at the level of KM 176 million.
The principal payment was KM 144.06 (82.72%), and interest, service and other costs amounted to KM 30.10 million (17.28%).
In total serviced obligations, the Federation of BIH took part with KM 118.28 million (67.86%), Republika Srpska with KM 50.13 million (28.78%), Brčko District with KM 3.43 million (1.97%), and BIH Institutions with KM 2.42 million (1.39%).
SECOND ROUND OF VOTING ON EXENDED EXPERT TEAM FOR TRGOVSKA GORA
The Council of Ministers of BIH failed, with eight votes for and two negative in the first round of vote, to take decision supplementing decision on appointment of an Expert Team for monitoring the situation and activities as to storing radioactive waste at Trgovska Gora site, and will reflect on the item in the second round of voting.
COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN OF BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees-proposed decision to appoint members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Council for Children.
Eight civil servants from responsible institutions of BIH were appointed to the Council for Children, together with two NGOs representatives and three representatives from the academic community of BIH, in addition to Saliha Đuderija of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, as the chair
The Council for Children works, among other things, on the promotion and protection of the right of child, and it is particularly responsible for implementation monitoring of the BIH Action Plan for Children and respective annual reporting to the Council of Ministers.
TO IMPOVE ACTIVITIES OF WORK GROUPS FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Directorate for European Integrations-proposed decision on establishment of a Work Group for European Integrations, for the aim of achieving the coordination system effectiveness under the BIH process of European integrations.
The adoption of one, instead of two decisions, regulating the operations of Work Groups responsible, among other things, for technical finalisation of documents and participation in the EU assistance programming process, will facilitate their work and promote operability, especially in regard to work groups-specific decision-making, set under the Decision on coordination system.
Members of the work groups are representatives of various institutions at all levels of BIH. This way 36 work groups will be established in accordance with the European Union acquis and accession criteria.
BIH AND EU CONTINUE TALKS WITHIN SUB-COMMITTEE FOR FISHERY AND AGRICULTURE
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on holding of the fifth meeting of the Sub-Committee for Fishery and Agriculture between the European Union and BIH, which will be held on-line in June 17, 2021.
The Discussion Document was adopted at the meeting, with corrections made at the session, and consent was given for the BIH delegation composition.
Also, the Council of Ministers of BIH took note of agreed to agenda of the meeting, and took several operative conclusions for a better preparation of the meeting.
The BIH Delegation chair Dušan Nešković from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will be available to media as to the fifth meeting of the Sub-Committee for Fishery and Agriculture between the EU and BIH.
BIH CLOSER TO NETWORK OF COUNTRIES OF JOINT TRANSIT
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision, upon a proposal of the Indirect Taxation Administration, on Amendments and Supplements of Decision on implementation of the Law on Customs Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a step forward in the process of harmonisation of BIH legislation with the relevant EU legislation.
The Decision, in which regard was taken of BIH business community requirements, enables the application of electronic customs procedures from July1, 2021, when the implementation of the Law on Customs Policy in BIH starts, which refers especially to a new electronic transport (transit) system (New Computerised Transit System -NCTS), phase 5, in the BIH customs area, as well as to the application of electronic customs declarations in export and Import customs procedures.
Thus, BIH fulfils one of conditions for the accession to the Common Transit Convention (CTC Convention) and Convention for Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods (SAD Convention.)
Acceding the Conventions, BIH will join the network of countries of common transit, comprised of EU countries, EFTA countires, Republic of Serbia, Northern Macedonia, and the Republic of Turkey, and that presumes the acceleration of flow of goods in cross-border transport in counties of common transit by use of electronic transport system.
NO CONSENT
The Council of Ministers of BIH, with five votes for and the same number negative in the second round of voting, failed to adopt an Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020-2024 and its Action Plan, proposed by the Agency for Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of Anti-Corruption Action.
ECONOMIC GROWTH EXPECTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information of the Directorate for Economic Planning (DEP) on 2021-2023 prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which suggests that the basis for economic trends in BIH will depend on the external surrounding and Covid-19 situation development.
The piece of information gives a preliminary review of the presumed most important economic trends, based on BIH trends analysis and relevant international factors, affecting the development of the country.
The DEP projections indicate to an up-coming gradual recovery of BIH economic growth with 3% average annual growth rate.
The key support to the economic growth during the reported period of time should be domestic demand, i.e. an increase of private demand and investments along with stable surrounding and lifting of country’s competitiveness level, which would make a positive impact to foreign trade exchange.
The session adopted the DEP piece of information on macroeconomic trends for January-February 2021 in BIH.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ECHR DEISIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of the Ministry of Justice Action Plan for implementation of awards of the European Court for Human Rights in several files, namely, Zornć, Sejdić & Finci, Pilav, and Pudarić vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The session concluded that a Cross-Sector Work Group was formed for the purpose of amendments of the Election Law in BIH.
Previously, the Council of Ministers of BIH took note of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Decision CM/7Dec/1398/H46-4, of March 11, 2021 on implementation of the ECHR awards from the group of files Sejdić & Finci vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina and on ECHR award in file Pudarić vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FRAMEWORK FOR FINANCING ENERGY EFFICACY MEASURES AND PROJECTS IN BIH INSITTUTIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-proposed Framework for financing of projects and measures of energy efficacy for investments in public buildings at the BIH Institutions level, in order to define guidelines for energy efficacy projects and measures development and implementation.
Earlier, in its defined national contribution, BIH explicitly recognised a capacity for decrease of gas emissions in view of buildings in public ownership, stressing that the decrease of gas emissions and development of sustainable system for public buildings reconstruction requires international financial support.
The adoption of the framework enables defining mode of financing of energy efficacy projects and measures in public sector, specifically financing of reconstruction of BIH institutions buildings from both domestic and international resources, and development institutions.
FOUR FOOD PRODUCTS GOT LAST YEAR GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN MARK
Four food products got a mark of geographic origin last year, reads a 2020 Report of the Committee for registration of origin marks, geographic origin and guaranteed traditional specialities in BIH for 2020, tabled by the BIH Food Safety Agency.
It is about cold smoked sirloin from Visoko (Association of processed meat producers “Visoko Smoked Sirloin and Sausage Producers”), potato from Nevesinje (Association of Nevesinje Potato Producers “Nevesinje”), cheese form Livno (Association for Origin Protection of Livno Cheese), and Livno Original Cheese (Autochthone Livno Cheese “Cincar” Producers Association).
NO CONSENT FOR VACANCY AD FOR INDIRECT TAXATION ADMINSTIRATION MANAGER
The Council of Ministers took note of a report of the Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board on expiry of mandate, accompanied by an urge to launch a procedure for selection and appointment of Manager of the Indirect Taxation Administration, and in the second round of voting, with seven votes for and three against, failed to reach consent to open public ad for the position.
CONSENT FOR APPOINTMTN OF MILITARY ATTACHE OF HUNGARY IN BIH
Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a consent was granted for appointment of Colonel Atilla Sandor for defence, military and airforce attaché of Hungary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with his seat in Sarajevo.
CONSENT FOR VOTE IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent for vote by citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria, staying in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the occasion of elections for the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Bulgarian citizens in BIH may vote on July 7. 2021 in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Sarajevo, in time period from 7.00 to 20.00 hrs.
Simultaneously, consent was granted for vote by citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, staying in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the occasion of presidential elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The vote will be held in the premises of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on June 18, 2021 in time period from 9.00 to 16.00 hrs.
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