The second coordination meeting on the EU agenda took place in Sarajevo today, with the participation of the BiH Council of Ministers Chair Nikola Špirić, his Deputies Dragan Vrankić and Tarik Sadović, FBiH Prime Minister Mustafa Mujezinović, his Deputy Vjekoslav Bevanda, RS Finance Minister Aleksandar Džombić, BiH Parliament Speakers Speakers Ilija Filipović and Beriz Belkić, and the Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Integration Halid Genjac. On behalf of the European Union, the EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko and the Chargé d’Affaires of the European Commission Delegation Boris Iarochevitch took part in the meeting.
By bringing together key decision makers from all levels of government and institutions relevant to particular issues, and identifying the institutions responsible for moving these issues forward, the EU coordination meetings are aimed at helping BiH’s progress on the road towards the European Union.
Representatives of authorities in BiH agreed at today’s meeting to engage further efforts, as a matter of urgency, on several issues that need to be addressed in line with EU Partnership priorities and requirements from the Road Map for Visa Liberalisation:
- full implementation of police reform laws, including a speedy appointment of the members of Public Complaints Board and Independent Board;
- full implementation of the state-level Ombudsman Law;
- adoption of a Public Procurement Law;
- adoption of a revised Strategy for Implementation of Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreements;
- adoption of a Population Census Law;
- adoption of the Law on Agency for Information Society;
- adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Law,
- drafting an Anti-Corruption Law.
The Commission also raised concerns over the delays in the disbursement of IPA funds, and called on the BiH authorities to speed up the process.
The next EU Agenda Coordination Meeting will be held by early September and review progress achieved on these issues.
