02/01/2012 PIC SB Ambassadors

Statement by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board Ambassadors

The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board met in Sarajevo on 31 January 2012 and expressed their concern that the functioning of the Institutions of BiH and the fulfillment of BiH’s international obligations have been brought into jeopardy by the ongoing failure to adopt Budgets of Institutions and International Obligations of BiH for 2011 and 2012. The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board also expressed their concern about the manner in which the 2011 budget adoption process is being conducted.

Although the deadline for the adoption of a 2011 budget expired on 31 December 2010 and the deadline for the adoption of a 2012 budget expired on 31 December 2011, neither law is in place.

The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board urge the responsible authorities, the Council of Ministers, the Presidency and the Parliamentary Assembly to proceed towards adopting a Law on Budget of Institutions and International Obligations for 2012 and a global fiscal framework for 2012-14 in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Constitution of BiH and the law. The Ambassadors reiterate the importance of completing this task in a timely manner and on the basis of compromise. In this respect, they encourage the efforts and the continuing lead role of the EU delegation in this matter.