HR expects FBiH President to ensure functioning institutions

At a meeting in Sarajevo today, High Representative Valentin Inzko urged the President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zivko Budimir to annul or amend his decision of 3 January 2014 in such a way as to ensure that the Minister of Finance can continue to exercise his functions until a successor is appointed or until otherwise decided by a court.

In today’s meeting the High Representative reiterated the need for functional institutions. “It is in the interest of the citizens of the Federation and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole that a Minister of Finance is in place and performing his duties in the Federation”, he said

The Minister of Finance has an irreplaceable role in executing the budget payments in the Federation. Without his signature salaries, veterans and social welfare payments, internal and external debt payments cannot be made. These payments are very soon coming up.

Additionally, the FBiH Minister of Finance has an important role as a member of the BiH Fiscal Council. Without his signature, BiH will not continue receiving funds from the International Monetary Fund.

The High Representative expects President Budimir to resolve the problem created by his decision so as to ensure the continued fiscal stability, governance and the proper functioning of the Federation and Bosnia and Herzegovina as whole.

The High Representative also expressed his support for a meeting between the Prime Minister and President of the FBiH in view of agreeing a way forward.