Council of Ministers of BiH Adopts Work Program, Focus on Four Areas

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Council of Ministers of BiH determined at today's session the Draft Agreement on reducing roaming service prices in public mobile communication networks in the Western Balkans region.

The Draft Agreement will be immediately submitted to the Presidency of BiH, and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport has been proposed as the BiH signatory. The Agreement will be signed during the Digital Summit, which will be held in early April 2019 in Belgrade. This Agreement enters into force on July 1, 2019, from when roaming service prices in the region's countries will gradually decrease, with full abolition planned for 2021.

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Communications Regulatory Agency, adopted the Decision on permits for the use of radio frequency spectrum for providing services via mobile access systems. This decision practically enables the introduction of the 4G network in BiH, and mobile operators are obliged to improve their services, which include better service and coverage of the territory and transport routes in BiH.

Permits are issued by the Communications Regulatory Agency of BiH and are granted to existing licensed mobile operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period of 15 years, and the operator is obliged to pay a total of 17.5 million KM in compensation in five equal annual installments, starting from 2019. These funds will be directed towards the development of the transport and communications sector in the next five years, and the specific purpose will be determined by the Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH.

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Security, adopted the Decision on determining temporary reception centers for accommodating migrants, with accepted corrections at the session. Temporary reception centers are: the former factory "Bira" and the former student dormitory "Borići" in Bihać, the former factory "Miral" in Velika Kladuša, and the former hotel "Sedra" in Cazin. These temporary reception centers for accommodating migrants are handed over for temporary use to the Service for Foreigners' Affairs, which is part of the Ministry of Security of BiH. The costs of financing the operation of the reception centers, their rental and establishment, as well as the engagement of a security agency, are borne by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Previously, the Council of Ministers of BiH was informed about the Information from the Ministry of Security on the migration situation regarding the increased inflow of migrants to BiH, which states that there has been an increase in migrant entries into BiH compared to the previous week.

It was stated at the session that there are currently more than 3,000 migrants in BiH who are accommodated in reception centers and all are registered, which practically means that biometric data and fingerprints have been taken. Given that an intensification of migration movements towards Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected along the so-called Balkan route to the EU, additional police officers are needed to assist the BiH Border Police in strengthening the control of BiH's eastern border with Serbia and Montenegro, from where the largest number of migrants come. The goal is to prevent all illegal crossings towards the eastern neighbors. From January 1 to February 21, 2019, 1,616 illegal migrants were reported to the Service for Foreigners' Affairs. The intention to apply for asylum in this period was expressed by 1,402 people, and 32 applied for asylum. The largest number of migrants are from Pakistan (19.4 percent), Iraq (15.1 percent), Syria (14.6 percent), Algeria (11.2 percent), and Morocco (10.6 percent).

By adopting relevant decisions and conclusions, the Council of Ministers of BiH continues preparations for the annual meeting of the governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the largest such gathering ever organized in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Besides the annual meeting of the governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a business forum and a donors' meeting will also be held. It will practically be a large investment conference in Sarajevo from May 7 to 9, with a focus on connecting economies for stronger growth of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is estimated that around 3,500 guests (about 2,000 high officials, governors, and diplomats, and 1,500 representatives of the business community) from 82 countries will participate in the conference. According to initial estimates, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to invest more than 300 million euros in the development of the BiH economy in the next four years. In this regard, a Decision on exemption from visa fees for participants of the Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development coming from countries with which BiH has a visa regime was adopted, and consent was given for the conclusion of an implementation arrangement with the EBRD, with the governor of BiH to the EBRD, Mirko Šarović, proposed as the signatory.

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the General Secretariat, adopted its Work Program for 2019, which is focused on the realization of four priorities - European integration, economic development, strengthening the rule of law, and international cooperation. Improving bilateral relations with neighboring countries on the foundations of common interest and principles of equality and mutual respect remains a priority of work in 2019. Efforts will be made to develop good neighborly relations, improve economic and strengthen regional cooperation, and resolve open issues, with a constructive approach to regular bilateral and multilateral meetings. The continuation of activities related to BiH's obligations towards NATO remains a priority for BiH institutions. One of the significant goals is also membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) as soon as possible. The Work Program was adopted with certain corrections and will be submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

The Council of Ministers of BiH adopted the Analysis of Foreign Trade Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2018, which states that the main characteristics in 2018 were an increase in total foreign trade exchange and export growth. The total commodity exchange of BiH in 2018 amounted to 31.17 billion KM, of which the value of exported goods was 11.9 billion KM, and imported goods 19.27 billion KM, with a foreign trade deficit of 7.37 billion KM recorded. The European Union remains our main foreign trade partner, accounting for 65.3% of the total commodity exchange, followed by CEFTA countries with 13.7%, while other countries account for 21%. Compared to the previous year, there was a 7.4% increase in total commodity exchange with the EU. Exports to the EU accounted for 73% of BiH's total exports in 2018 and increased by 10.3%, while imports increased by 5.3%, and the coverage of imports by exports during 2018 increased by 3.5%. The trade deficit with EU countries decreased by 7.1%. During 2018, we exported the most to Germany (1.74 billion KM), Croatia (1.46 billion KM), Italy (1.35 billion KM), Serbia (1.25 billion KM), Slovenia (1.06 billion KM), Austria (1.02 billion KM), Montenegro (401.45 million KM), and Turkey (323.22 million KM).

The Council of Ministers of BiH, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BiH, adopted the Decision on temporary financing of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and international obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period April – June 2019, in the amount of 237,500,000 KM. Financing of multi-year projects, adopted in previous years' budgets, as well as special purpose programs, will continue from funds transferred in accordance with the Law on Financing of BiH Institutions, or secured by dedicated donations.