Governments of the Republic of Srpska and Federation of BiH held today the second joint session in Banja Luka.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Zeljka Cvijanvic stated at a press conference after the session that holding a joint session had come as the result of the position shared by two Prime Ministers who maintain that many processes could be moved or unblocked if two entities worked together more closely.
Prime Minister Cvijanovic presented today the Information Note on the activities targeting the grey economy which the two Governments considered during today's session.
"We briefed our colleagues from the Federation Government about the effects of a set of new laws adopted last year intended to combat grey economy and focus on the issues of unregistered workers, unregistered businesses, non-issuance of fiscal receipts and the issue of transfer prices among the associated companies", Prime Minister Cvijanovic said.
She said that few days ago the Government of Republic of Srpska considered in a separate session the effects of the new legislation presented by the RS Inspectorate and Tax Administration and how it could be improved to yield more results and be more effective.
Prime Minister Cvijanovic said that the two Governments agreed to intensify activities on combating the grey economy and in that sense supported stronger cooperation among entity tax administrations and inspectorate authorities.
"One of the conclusions reached during today's session is that entity governments would submit an official proposal to the BiH Council of Ministers to introduce the fiscalization system in Brcko District since entity governments come across various problems there", Prime Minister Cvijanovic said and added that entity governments would similarly request the oil trade control in Brcko District.
"Federation of BiH would soon enact the new Law on bankruptcy that would be identical to the one which the Republic of Srpska passed last year and which represents more modern solution compared to the previous law and would also work on approximation of other laws ", Cvijanovic said.
As for the traffic sector, Prime Minister Cvijanovic said that both Governments decided to support traffic infrastructure projects which are either pending or would be implemented on the territory of both entities and would serve better communications between two entities and the neighbouring states.
"We have decided to work together on concrete solutions. One of such matters is construction of the motorway between Belgrade and Sarajevo. That would require major engagement of our relevant ministries and close cooperation with the Council of Ministers", Prime Minister said.
"We would also have to wait for all necessary analysis and feasibility studies. In that sense we are also counting on the support of the European Union to help us get to the best possible and most effective solution that would be beneficial for both entities", Cvijanovic said.
One of the issues discussed during the joint session was the issue of the registry books and both governments expressed their readiness to deal with this long term issue and facilitate their exchange between the Federation of BiH and Republic of Srpska.
As for the area of agriculture which requires more coordinated work in order to protect domestic farmers, Prime Minister Cvijanovic stated that conclusions were passed to work more intensively on harmonization of various agricultural laws and regulations between two entities but also with the BiH Council of Ministers and particularly with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to protect domestic agriculture, approximate the system of agricultural incentives, mark the animals and create joint data base.
According to Prime Minister Cvijanovic the session was very successful and well prepared.
Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Fadil Novalic stated that 40% to 60 % of obligations from the Reform Agenda have been realized thus far and that most of the outstanding obligations were to be fulfilled by the Federation of BiH.
Federation Prime Minister further stated that out of 11 measures from the Letter of Intent, few more had to be fulfilled such as the excises, deposit fund and few technical issues but that the whole process was on a good way and was producing visible results.
"Joint session of entity Governments would be held every six months or at least once a year and would deal with the issues that cause a common problem, harmonization of laws in view of avoiding discriminatory situations and promoting single market", Prime Minister Novalic said.