The overall objective of the project “Support to BiH Water Policy”, which was presented at the Conference on 3 December 2009 in Sarajevo, at hotel “Bosna”, is to ensure the protection and rational use of water resources in BiH by application of integrated water management principles in accordance with the EU standards.
The Project is funded by the EU through the IPA 2007 programme and implemented by an international consortium led by PM Group from Ireland. The value of the project is 1 million euro and it will be implemented during the period of 2 years. Project beneficiaries are Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, respective Entity Ministries and Department of Brcko District government responsible for water management and environmental protection, as well as Water Agencies.
During the last ten years, the BiH water sector has faced serious reforms, and was extensively supported by the EU with the aim of transposing EU policies and law into BiH legislation. The most significant result of these reforms is the establishment of a legal and institutional framework for water management based on the Entity Water Laws and the establishment of Water Agencies.
However, there is still much to be done when it comes to the adoption of the by-laws and their harmonisation with the EU legislation, as the EC 2009 Progress Report for BiHstated limited progress in the area of environment protection and water quality.
“The report states that, unfortunately, Bosnia and Herzegovina remain at an early stage in the area of the environment. BiH needs to strengthen its environmental protection institutions, in particular at State level. It also needs to mainstream the environmental concerns in other sectors, such as transport, energy, etc. The European Commission also stated limited progress in the water quality sector. Further efforts are needed to ensure uniform river basin planning, proper public consultation and monitoring between the Entities and District Brcko.”, stated Johann Hesse, Head of Operations Section for Economic Development, Trade and Natural Resources within the European Union Delegation to BiH in his address at the Conference.
What needs to be taken into consideration is “the lack of state-level policy document and strategy for water sector development, lack of clear planning documents and corresponding investment priorities based on economic, technical, social and environmental criteria that can be used by BiH during negotiation process on joining the EU, the absence of clear strategy for implementing EU water-related Directives, weak capacity for coordination and implementation of activities stemming from international conventions to which BiH is party and insufficiently developed framework for public participation into decision making related to river basin management” – stated Hesse.
“The aim of this 1 million euro worth assistance is to help BiH in addressing the present and future obligations towards the European Union and other international institutions” – stated Hesse who also underlined the benefits of the project.
“The main benefits are primarily benefits for human health (reduction in illnesses), social benefits (such as safeguarding cultural heritage and recreational opportunities), economic benefits (such as producing more goods with less impact on the environment and attracting investments) and benefits for ecosystems and natural resources. It is estimated that the total benefits of the compliance with the water directives in Bosnia and Herzegovina amount to over 750 million euro.” – concluded Johann Hesse.
Senad Pločo, Project Team Leader, spoke of the expected results as well as the representatives of the entity ministries who emphasised the importance of mutual cooperation in achieving the common objective at BiH level. Oisin O’Sullivan, Project Director from PM Group Ireland, expressed hope for positive results and satisfaction on the commitment of both entities in achieving the projected objectives.
The project will ensure adequate involvement of the cantons, municipalities and villages, water utility companies, industry, agriculture, NGOs and public.
