EMERGENCY SESSION Council of Ministers declares state of natural disaster caused by pandemic

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After the BiH Presidency adopted conclusions, including several points for which the BiH Council of Ministers is competent regarding the coronavirus pandemic, an extraordinary session of that body is scheduled to be held today to make the necessary decisions after the entities of RS and FBiH made decisions to declare a state of emergency and a state of natural disaster, respectively.

Out of 18 adopted points, seven are in the direct competence of the BiH Council of Ministers.

"The BiH Presidency expects the BiH Council of Ministers to declare a state of natural or other disaster caused by the coronavirus pandemic, in accordance with the Framework Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Material Property from Natural and Other Disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to fill and activate the BiH Coordination Body for Protection and Rescue in accordance with this law.

The BiH Presidency considers the decision of the BiH Council of Ministers on the entry of foreign citizens from countries affected by the pandemic to be adequate and that it should be analyzed on a daily basis and supplemented in accordance with the needs and recommendations of competent health institutions.

The BiH Presidency requests the BiH Council of Ministers to reduce the number of border crossings to the minimum necessary for the return of BiH citizens and the unimpeded flow of goods, in agreement with neighboring countries.

The BiH Presidency requests the BiH Council of Ministers, entity governments, cantonal governments, the Government of Brčko District, and local communities to urgently take measures within their jurisdiction to mitigate the consequences of the crisis on the business operations of economic entities in BiH and their employees.

The BiH Presidency demands that the BiH Council of Ministers intensify communication with all international organizations and institutions that can provide assistance to BiH in this situation.

The BiH Presidency calls on the BiH Council of Ministers to prepare a proposal for amendments to the Law on Public Procurement and submit it to an urgent parliamentary procedure in order to remove obstacles for the urgent procurement of equipment and other items necessary for combating the spread of COVID-19.

The BiH Presidency requests the BiH Council of Ministers to compile a list of urgent needs for resources necessary for the fight against COVID-19, based on the expressed needs of the entities, cantons, and the government of Brčko District," is part of the conclusions of the BiH Presidency after an extraordinary extended session attended by ministers from HDZ BiH."