Ministers Košarac and Dedić on cooperation and priority tasks

Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Staša Košarac received today in Sarajevo a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, led by Minister Šemsudin Dedić.

Ministers Košarac and Dedić reached full agreement on a group of priority tasks, on whose implementation the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, the competent ministries from the Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, and the competent departments of the Brčko District should work, respecting constitutional and legal competencies.

The delegation of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry informed Minister Košarac about key problems and open issues, and expressed support for the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH and the relevant minister in promoting open dialogue and a model of a high degree of harmonization of positions of the institutions of the Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH and the Brčko District.

At the meeting, it was noted that one of the key issues is the method of organizing the withdrawal of funds from the IPARD program, as an important assistance mechanism for agricultural producers. The interlocutors concluded that this implies amendments to certain legal solutions, which must be based on realistic foundations and harmonization of all levels of government in BiH.

Minister Košarac said that he made a decision to form working groups, which will include representatives of the Ministry, the competent entity ministries and departments of the Brčko District, and which will work on certain normative acts. Ministers Košarac and Dedić agreed that this is a good model for cooperation.

Minister Košarac announced that in February he will organize a meeting with entity ministers during which a group of priority tasks will be discussed, and specific assignments will be determined not only for working groups, but also for associates in sectors and areas within the ministries.