The 7th meeting of the Special Group on Public Administration Reform (PAR) for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) took place on 16th of April 2024. The meeting was opened by Mr, Davor Bunoza, Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ms Valentina Superti, Director of Western Balkans, Directorate General on Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission (DG NEAR). It was co-chaired by Ms Barbara Jésus- Gimeno, Head of Unit of BiH and Kosovo (DG NEAR) and Željko Bogut, Secretary, Ministry of Justice in BiH.
The European Commission encouraged Bosnia and Herzegovina to build upon the positive momentum, after the historical decision to open EU accession negotiations, following key reforms undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to speak with one voice with a view to advance further on the country’s EU path.
The Commission welcomed the political support provided to the PAR Agenda, which translated into concrete deliverables, including the holding of the first meeting of the Coordination Board on PAR in February 2024- as the main political decision making body – including Chairwoman of BiH Council of Ministers, Prime ministers at entities level and competent Ministers and PAR coordinators. It highlighted the need and the window of opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to focus on public administration and public finance management reforms as key contributors in improving the functionality of BiH.
With regard to the overall policy on PAR, the Commission reiterated the need to improve implementation of reforms for the benefit of the citizens, adopt a new Action Plan on PAR 2023-2027, by consulting civil society and ensuring its credible costing while increasing local ownership.
As to public finances, the Commission welcomed the planned holding of the first PFM dialogue on 21 May with participation of EU, donors and civil society. Particularly, the Commission called on all government levels to coordinate more effectively for a credible countrywide approach on PFM, as a key element of public policy effective use of public funds and a business environment conducive to investments, competitiveness and growth.
As for civil service reform, the Commission welcomed the recent amendments to the law on civil services, while stressing the need to address professionalisation of the administration and improve the working environment in civil service for better attraction and retention of qualified candidates, as key element for improving administrative capacities, also ahead of the EU negotiation process and implementation of EU Acquis.
With regard to a country wide approach to policy making, the Commission asked for BiH state level to undertake all necessary key steps to set-up a functional countrywide system of planning, monitoring sectoral policies – as the basis for EU acquis. The Commission also welcomed the submission of the draft Programme of EU integration and looked forward to its improvement and final adoption following EU comments with a view to complying with requirements under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
The Commission emphasised the need to reform overall accountability of the public administration bodies by improving the uptake of Ombudsman recommendations by public bodies, enhancing pro-active disclosure of information, and ensuring a harmonised approach in applying the standards on Free Access to Information towards civil society and better alignment of regulations with international standards. Finally, with regard to service delivery, the Commission looked forward to all necessary enabling conditions being put in place for digitalising services, and improving the provision of services to citizens.
