Presidency of BiH on Trgovska Gora: Use all legal and diplomatic means to protect citizens and territory

(Patria) - The Presidency of BiH at today's 27th regular session considered the Information on the activities of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina at all levels of government regarding the intention of the Republic of Croatia to dispose of radioactive waste at the Trgovska Gora site.

The following conclusions were unanimously adopted:

1. The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina takes note of the Draft Strategy for the Protection of BiH's Legal Interest in relation to the disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel at the Trgovska Gora site, prepared by the Legal Team at the order of the Council of Ministers of BiH, as well as the activities undertaken so far by BiH institutions regarding the procedures of the Republic of Croatia concerning the transport and disposal of radioactive waste, used sources, and spent nuclear fuel near the state border of BiH in the Trgovska Gora area near Dvor na Uni, and considers it an important document that ensures coordinated and harmonized activities of all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina to protect the interests of BiH and its citizens;

2. The Presidency of BiH requires the Council of Ministers of BiH to:

a) urgently consider and adopt the Strategy from point 1 of these conclusions and to instruct the competent ministries and other institutions to activate the mechanisms provided for by international conventions (especially the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context and the Aarhus Convention on Public Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters),
b) The Presidency of BiH tasks the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH to, without delay, in cooperation with entities, cantons, and local communities, prepare and consolidate expert analyses on the potential consequences of nuclear waste disposal at the Trgovska Gora site on the environment,
c) The Presidency of BiH tasks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH to undertake activities to inform international institutions and the public about the potential harmful consequences of nuclear waste disposal at the Trgovska Gora site;

3. The Presidency of BiH calls on the Legal Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to actively engage in monitoring the situation regarding the Trgovska Gora case, and to consider undertaking all necessary legal and other measures, including initiating an international dispute, arbitration, or other legal proceedings against the Republic of Croatia in relation to this specific case;

4. The Presidency of BiH tasks the Council of Ministers of BiH to regularly inform the Presidency of BiH, the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the public about all measures taken, in accordance with the development of the situation and international processes related to the aforementioned issue;

5. The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is of the opinion that Bosnia and Herzegovina should use all available legal and diplomatic means to protect its citizens and territory from potential long-term and irreversible consequences;

6. The Presidency of BiH considers the active role of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the aforementioned issue to be crucial for the democratic legitimacy, institutional strength, and unified response of BiH to this issue.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision approving the membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE).

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision on the correction of the Financing Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska and the European Investment Bank - Water and Sanitation RS.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina gave consent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina to initiate the procedure for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the Regional Centre for Cyber Capacity (Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre – WB3C), based in Podgorica.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to approve the signing of a Letter of Intent for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the Global Partnership for Action on Online Harassment and Abuse.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to extend the participation of the Armed Forces of BiH contingent in the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to initiate the procedure for conducting negotiations for the conclusion of a Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to accept the technical amendments to the Loan Agreement (Just Transition Project in Selected Coal-Rich Regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted decisions on accepting agreements and appointing signatories:
‣ Grant Agreement (WB-IG10-BiH-ENV-03) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Investment Bank - Water and Sewerage Republika Srpska II, investment in the municipalities of Doboj, Gradiška, Laktaši, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Teslić, Trebinje, Vukosavlje, Rogatica, Nevesinje, Istočna Ilidža, Novi Grad, Milići, Čelinac, and Zvornik (FIN N°): 99599 Operational number (Serapis N°): 2018-0281;
‣ Grant Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Investment Bank - Corridor Vc Medakovo - Poprikuše, subsection Ozimice - Poprikuše/ WB-IG08-BiH TRA-04, operational number: (Serapis N°): 2019-0751.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted decisions to approve the conclusion of:
‣ Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Legal Field between the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Justice of the State of Qatar;
‣ Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic on asylum and migration issues;
‣ Coordination Agreement between the Directorate of Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Serbia, and the Civil Aviation Agency of Montenegro;
‣ Memorandum of Understanding between the competent ministries for transport of the European Union and Western Balkan countries, at the initiative of the Executive Board of the Western Balkan – Eastern Mediterranean Railway Corridor for Goods Transport.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to initiate the procedure for conducting negotiations for the conclusion of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the provision of air traffic services.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to accept the Decision of the Joint Committee of the Central European Free Trade Agreement No. 2/2024 on facilitating e-commerce, adopted on October 9, 2024.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Proposal for a Decision on Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to:
‣ The Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) on the Electronic Consignment Note;
‣ The Protocol on the Elimination of Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products,
‣ Conventions and Protocols of the International Labour Organization.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to conduct negotiations for the conclusion of an Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the United Mexican States on educational, cultural, youth, and sports cooperation.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina accepted the nomination of candidates for the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) of the Council of Europe.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to approve the conclusion of the Contract for the external evaluation of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HEA), coordinated by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to accept the agreement and appoint signatories to the Grant Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden for the project ''Improving the Efficiency of Courts and the Accountability of Judges and Prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Phase Four (ICEA IV)'', Financial contribution from SIDA, number 16824.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Decision to determine the list of candidates for the election of a judge on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg.