New meeting tomorrow: Authorities trying to ensure issuance of BiH passports after March 21

Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojin Mijatović, told reporters that a new meeting could be held as early as tomorrow, at which a solution for the procurement of passport books will be sought. According to him, citizens of BiH will not be left without passports on March 21, although this was announced earlier.

He added that the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Agency for Identification Documents /IDDEEA/, the Public Procurement Agency of BiH, and the cabinet of the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH are in constant contact.

The contract for the production of passports between BiH and the German company Muehlbauer expires on March 21 this year, and it is still unknown who could continue printing BiH passports after this date. The previous two international tenders were canceled due to appeals. A source of the Patria news agency claims that the latest tender will not be completed by March 21, which makes the issuance of BiH passports after this date questionable.

- Authorities have tried to agree with Muehlbauer to continue printing BiH passports until this process is completed, but Muehlbauer wants a contract for several years or nothing – claims a Patria source close to the Council of Ministers of BiH.

Many controversies have long been associated with the contract between BiH and Muehlbauer. The awarding of the contract to the German company headquartered in Banja Luka is being investigated by SIPA, writes Patria.