In the framework of the 7th cycle of Sub-committees established under the Interim Agreement, representatives of the European Commission and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) institutions met in Brussels on 5 and 6 February 2015, to discuss the level of approximation of the country in the field of Innovation, Information Society, Social Policy and Public Health with EU rules. During the constructive meeting, developments in the area of Education were discussed. The European Commission underlined the need to ensure an inclusive education system without ethnic-based separation and discrimination. In this context, the Commission stressed the importance of implementing the recent ruling of the FBiH Supreme Court. It also welcomed the recent establishment of the Erasmus + Office as well as activities in the framework of Creative Europe.
In the areas of Information Society and media, the European Commission took note that a Telecommunications Sector Policy has not yet been adopted and that the e-communication legislation is not yet aligned with the updated EU Framework. Delays in the digitalization process were also underlined. The European Commission stressed the importance to ensure full functionality (including the appointment of the Communication Regulatory Authority General Director) and independence of the Communication Regulatory Authority and pointed out the lack of progress on e-commerce. The European Commission took note of the adoption of the BiH Law on e-document.
Employment and social policies were also discussed at the meeting. The European Commission urged BiH to develop and implement meaningful reforms in the social welfare sector, also in the framework of the Compact for Growth and Jobs. The European Commission underlined that substantial efforts are still needed to develop appropriate employment and skills development policies. It expressed also concern about lack of progress on the FBiH new Labour Law. The European Commission took positive note of the adoption of the Strategy for reform of the pension system in FBiH and urged to move on towards implementing the reform.
The European Commission welcomed BiH association to the Horizon 2020 programme and participation in COST and Eureka. The importance of taking action in line with the European Research Area to strengthen the capacity was underlined.
The European Commission urged BiH to align its legal framework on public health and consumer protection with the EU legislation. The state of play in the implementation of the Roma Inclusion seminars operational conclusions were also presented and discussed. The European Commission took note of significant progress in addressing the issue of civil registration for the Roma community and urged BiH to step up efforts in the creation of employment conditions and access to health care.
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