Presidency of BiH Adopts Conclusions: Council of Ministers of BiH to Initiate Bilateral Economic and Trade Consultations with the USA

(Patria) - The Presidency of BiH at today's session adopted several conclusions regarding the initiation of bilateral economic and trade consultations with the United States of America and the conclusion of an intergovernmental "Government-to-Government" agreement with the United States of America, at the proposal of Denis Bećirović, member of the Presidency of BiH, Patria has learned.

1. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina is tasked with preparing an initiative in the form of a letter of intent to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) within ten days, on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the opening of bilateral economic and trade consultations with the United States and submitting it to the Presidency of BiH for further action.

2. The Council of Ministers of BiH is tasked with taking all necessary activities without delay for the preparation and eventual conclusion of an intergovernmental (G2G) agreement with the United States of America, which would enable institutional, investment, and project cooperation in areas of common interest.

3. All concrete measures must be developed in a way that respects and does not jeopardize contractual obligations with other partners, primarily with the European Union.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH is tasked with preparing a comprehensive analysis of the effects of changes in the foreign trade policy of the United States of America on the foreign trade exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, it is necessary to prepare a comprehensive analysis of the foreign trade consequences of any changes related to policies and/or individual elements of existing agreements, laws, and lower legal acts. Any action without such scenario analyses is excluded," the conclusions state.

The USA has suspended the application of additional US customs measures, which also applied to BiH, for 90 days. This deadline expires on July 9, 2025, and it is necessary to open negotiations between BiH and the USA.