The 4th Subcommittee meeting on Internal Market and Competition (including Public Health and Consumer Protection) between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) took place on 12 December 2019 in Sarajevo.
Representatives from the European Commission (Commission) discussed with relevant BiH authorities the most recent developments in these areas. The meeting was co-chaired for the EU by Mr. Zbigniew Zach from the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, and for BiH by Ms. Brankica Pandurević from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the area of financial services, the Commission welcomed the progress achieved in addressing the problem of non-performing loans but urged the authorities to adopt the amendments to the Law on Deposit Insurance. Particular attention was given to public procurement where the Commission encouraged the BiH authorities to further harmonise their legislative framework with the EU acquis.
In the area of competition policy, the Commission emphasized the need to improve the functioning and decision making process of the competition and State aid authorities. Both institutions need to build a convincing enforcement record. BiH was also encouraged to continue making progress in the enforcement of intellectual property rights, in particular in the fight against counterfeit goods.
On public health policy, the Commission stressed that further efforts were needed, in particular to improve equal access to health care and to develop anti-tobacco policies and adopt the necessary legislation. Significant efforts are still needed to ensure freedom of provision of services and to prepare for the EU system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
