Workshop on Reform Agenda held with Cantonal and Brčko District representatives

The Office of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) and the Delegation of the European Union (EUD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina held a workshop with Cantonal and Brčko District representatives on 28 April in Sarajevo titled “Implementation of the Reform Agenda, practical considerations“.

The workshop was held in the context of facilitating the process of implementation of the Reform Agenda at all the relevant levels of authority. Meaningful implementation of the Reform Agenda is one of the three key conditions in assessing the EU membership application of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Adviser to the Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amil Kamenica, and Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Goran Miraščić, informed participants on experiences and progress in the implementation of their respective Action Plans and provided advice on how the existing Action Plans for implementation of the Reform Agenda can serve as useful tools to measure the progress made in a harmonised way.

EUD/EUSR provided an update on the state of affairs in the rule of law, good governance and public administration parts of the Reform Agenda. A need for closer cooperation and harmonisation of reporting methodology across the different levels of authority was emphasised, in order to allow for country-wide monitoring of progress, while certain problems such as lack of capacities at Cantonal level were noted.

Adviser in the Ministry of Finance of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Šeta, presented a Project on improvements to the business environment and simplification of administrative procedures for investors, which Canton Sarajevo implements in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the British Embassy.

The workshop was held as a follow-up to field visits organised in all Cantons and Brčko District by the EUSR/EUD at the beginning of this year.

Europa.ba