Apart from van Rooden, deputy chairman of the European Department of IMF Aasim Husain, resident representative to BiH Ruben Atoyan, and the main economist of the Mission Zaijin Zhan attended the meeting.
IMF Mission is in BiH since 15 May as a part of the third monitoring of stand-by arrangement with BiH which is relating to the execution in the first quarter of this year.
They discussed many issues, and especially the Law on favourable retirement of veterans which was adopted by both Houses of FBiH Parliament, but has not entered into power
Rooden congratulated Nikiš on his effort to make the law pass parliamentary procedure and added that FBiH has fulfilled goals it had, and although the law has still not entered into power, he said he hopes that it will happen soon.
He said he’s not satisfied with the fact that aforementioned law has still not entered into power, and he’s not satisfied with proposed solutions either, and noted that if the laws does not enter into power it will jeopardize IMF arrangement, and future instalment loans would not happen.
They also discussed the Law on Protection of Guarantors which is yet to be discussed in FBiH Parliament; preparations for Law on Budget, on Labour, ITA revenue collection, strengthening fiscal accountability in budget spending, signing the MoU of four tax administrations of BiH, status of Elektroprijenos and other issues.
Nikšić said that FBiH Government will work on fulfilling all the obligations it has, which was not the case with previous governments and added that the current government has fulfilled their part of obligations towards IMF, noting special thanks to cooperation and support of Sarajevo Office.
He noted that circumstances in which the law on Early retirement was enacted, and that the current situation related to non-implementation of the law is out of Government’s reach and he cannot confirm when will the law enter into power.
He noted that the law is essential for financial stability of BIH.
FBIH Prime Minister informed IMF Delegation about the phase of implementation of certain laws, and added that the government will do the job it took upon itself.
Van Rooden said that he’s pleased with the situation and expressed the hope that the Law on Early Retirement will be published before the next meeting of IMF Board of Directors, and he announced additional letter of intention for continuation of stand-by arrangement, said FBiH Government.
