Presidency of BiH requests the new Draft Budget of BiH be submitted by May 31st at the latest

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Presidency of BiH took note of the information from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH on measures and activities being undertaken to protect against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as on measures to mitigate economic consequences.

The Presidency of BiH notes that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have taken timely measures to protect against the pandemic, and that measures are being taken to protect the economy, the Presidency of BiH announced.

It also notes that the conclusions of the Presidency of BiH from the 56th extraordinary session of the Presidency of BiH of March 16, 2020, and the 57th extraordinary session of the Presidency of BiH of March 22, 2020, are being implemented.

Bearing in mind the epidemiological situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to the fight against the coronavirus, the Presidency of BiH requests the Council of Ministers of BiH to ensure quarantine facilities at border crossings for the movement of people within 24 hours, in cooperation with the entity authorities and the authorities of Brčko District of BiH. If this is not done, the Presidency of BiH requests that all border crossings for the movement of people where quarantine facilities have not been established be closed.

The Presidency of BiH requires the Council of Ministers of BiH to also ensure quarantine facilities in local communities for all persons arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina from abroad within 24 hours, in cooperation with the entity authorities and the authorities of Brčko District of BiH.

They welcome the activities of the Council of Ministers of BiH on concluding international financial arrangements and propose that the Council of Ministers of BiH initiate discussions with international institutions regarding a possible moratorium or deferral of loan obligations for this year.

The Presidency of BiH, at today's session, held consultations with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Dr. Zoran Tegeltija, on the Draft Law on the Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2020.

The Presidency of BiH requests the Council of Ministers of BiH to reconsider the Draft Law on the Budget of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2020, which will enable the unimpeded functioning of institutions at the state level and the fulfillment of their constitutional and legal obligations, taking into account the extraordinary circumstances that have arisen after the initial drafting of the 2020 Budget Draft.

Members of the Presidency request that the new Draft Budget be submitted to the collective head of state by May 31, 2020, at the latest. The new Draft Law on the Budget of Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2020 should be adapted to the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic by providing for savings on the expenditure side, respecting the framework of the budget of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed upon at the session of the Fiscal Council on December 27, 2019. If possible, the funds secured in this way should be proposed as a separate item to help address the economic damage caused by the pandemic.