A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe carried out a monitoring visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 19 to 21 February 2019. The delegation examined the situation of local and regional democracy in the light of the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified by the country in 2002.
Rapporteurs on local and regional democracy, Ms Lelia HUNZIKER (Switzerland, SOC) and Ms Carla DEJONGHE (Belgium, ILDG), focused on the developments in the field of local and regional self-government occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the adoption of the last Congress monitoring recommendation, in March 2012.
Meetings were held in Sarajevo with high representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: in particular with the Minister of Justice, Mr Mato JOZIĆ, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Parliament, Mr Elvir KARAJBIĆ, the President of the Constitutional Court, Ms Aleksandra MARTINOVIĆ and the Deputy Auditor General of the Audit Office for the institutions.
In the Canton of Sarajevo, the delegation had exchanges with Mr. Elmedin KONAKOVIĆ, President of the Canton Assembly, Mr. Edin FORTO, Prime Minister of the Canton, Mr. Amel KOVAĆEVIĆ, Minister of Finance of the Canton.
The delegation also met Mr Suad BALIĆ, Minister of Justice, Administration and Local Self-Government of the Government of the Canton of Herzegovina-Neretva, the Head of the Prime Minister Office of the Government of the Canton of Herzegovina-Neretva and the Deputy President of the Herzegovina-Neretva Cantonal Assembly, Mr Serif SPAGO.
In Jablanica, the delegation visited the mayor of the municipality, Mr Salem DEDIĆ and in the city of Mostar, Mr Ljubo BEŠLIĆ, the acting mayor.
The draft report and recommendation will be examined and submitted for approval at the Committee on the honoring of obligations and commitments by member states of the European charter of local self-government (Monitoring Committee) at one of its next meetings before its submission for adoption by the Congress Session in 2019.
Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 2002. The countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities makes sure that these principles are observed.
