State Ministers Adopt Work Program for 2026 and Detailed Analysis of Reform Program

(Patria) - The 100th session of the Council of Ministers of BiH was held today in Sarajevo.

Work Program Adopted

Upon the proposal of the Chairperson's Office, the Work Program of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2026 was unanimously adopted.

The Work Program contains an overview of activities that the Council of Ministers of BiH plans to carry out in 2026, based on proposals from BiH institutions that contribute to achieving the adopted strategic goals and priorities from the Strategic Framework of BiH Institutions until 2030 and the Medium-Term Work Program of the Council of Ministers of BiH for the period from 2026 to 2028, which was adopted at the previous session.

According to the Program, the Council of Ministers of BiH remains committed to implementing priority tasks arising from the European Commission's documents in the EU accession process and obligations from the Stabilization and Association Agreement, as well as previously undertaken obligations regarding the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of BiH will submit the Work Program to the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

Reform Agenda

At the session, a Detailed Analysis of the Reform Program Document of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted, prepared by the Directorate for Economic Planning at the request of the Council of Ministers of BiH in accordance with the conclusions of the 33rd session of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

The aim of the analysis is to provide decision-makers with information on the content of the BiH Reform Agenda document, priorities, and operational steps required for its implementation, with an emphasis on the connection between reforms and European integration, sustainable economic growth, and strengthening institutions.

The analysis provides an overview of indicative reforms and ensures a basis for decision-makers on the necessary operational steps for managing its implementation.

The acts include: establishing a coordination platform (policy board) for the implementation of the Agenda, integrating reform steps into budget cycles and mandatory development plans of institutions at all levels of government, and ensuring mechanisms for inter-institutional cooperation (state, entities, Brčko District, and cantons).

The general goal is focused on building a functional and sustainable economy and strengthening institutions and the rule of law, while specific goals are directed towards reform priorities in the areas of democracy, energy, digitalization, education, employment, and social policy.

Free Trade

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, adopted the Decision on the application of full cumulation within the Free Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), after competent economic institutions gave positive opinions.

This decision expands the application of full cumulation to the import of textile products and textiles covered by chapters 50 to 63 of the current tariff schedule, within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and EFTA member states.

The decision is in accordance with Annex O to the Decision of the Joint Committee of the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin of December 7, 2023, on amending the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin.

This decision enters into force on the eighth day from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of BiH, and will be applied 60 days from the date of publication, providing sufficient time for all interested parties to be informed and prepare for its implementation.

Committee for Roma

Upon the proposal of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, the Decision on the establishment of the Committee for Roma within the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted.

The Committee was established as a professional, advisory, and coordinating body within the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has 18 members, nine representatives from BiH institutions (with their deputies) and nine from Roma non-governmental organizations, aiming to improve the work of this committee.

The committee's responsibilities include reviewing, initiating, monitoring, and providing recommendations on all issues significant for improving the position of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the current legislation and BiH's international obligations.

Development of Higher Education

The Council of Ministers of BiH adopted the Information from the Ministry of Civil Affairs on the implementation of the Priorities for the Development of Higher Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2016-2026, which will be forwarded to the competent institutions in BiH.

The Information provides an overview of the activities undertaken and results achieved in the implementation of the Priorities for the Development of Higher Education in the period from 2022 to 2024, which are grouped into seven key areas: good governance and management; resources; connection between the labor market and higher education; qualification standards; student experience; internationalization; and statistics.

Performance Audit

The Council of Ministers of BiH took note of the individual performance audit reports of the Office of the Auditor of BiH Institutions concerning energy efficiency in BiH institutions, the adoption and ensuring the application of the code of ethics in BiH institutions, the activities of BiH institutions in ensuring competition in public procurement, the efficiency of BiH institutions in establishing uniform employee placement within salary grades, and "determining the customs value of used motor vehicles".

Appointments

The Council of Ministers of BiH appointed Saša Marić as the Ombudsman for Consumer Protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the most successful candidate from the list of successful candidates for selection and appointment, following the completion of the application procedure.

The Council of Ministers of BiH, based on the Opinion of the Civil Service Agency of BiH, dismissed Emina Jahić from the position of Director of the Insurance Agency of BiH, due to retirement effective February 16, 2026.

The Civil Service Agency of BiH is obliged to urgently initiate the procedure for the selection and appointment of the Director of the Insurance Agency of BiH.

Adem Zolota was appointed acting Director of the Insurance Agency of BiH until the completion of the application procedure, for a maximum of three months, starting from February 17, 2026.

At the session, the Opinion of the Civil Service Agency of BiH, along with the application documentation, was accepted, and Danijela Mrda and Edin Veladžić were appointed as the most successful candidates for the positions of Director and Deputy Director of the Archives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the completion of the public competition procedure.

The Civil Service Agency of BiH is obliged to announce a public competition for the second Deputy Director of the Archives of BiH.

Previously, the current Director Danijela Mrda and Deputy Director Fuad Ohranović were dismissed due to the expiration of their mandates.

Granting Consent

Upon the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Captain Ikram Ullah Watto was appointed as the Defense Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Bosnia and Herzegovina, based in Ankara, with the consent of the Council of Ministers of BiH.