25.10.1996

Joint Statement of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina – 25/10/96

Joint Statement
of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina at their meeting on 25 October 1996 discussed further measures concerning the setting up of common institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was confirmed that the key offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be distributed according to the principle of equality of the Federation and the Republika Srpska and of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Presidency started discussing the structure and the composition of the Council of Ministers. The setting up of the Council of Ministers is of particular importance in order to be able to start discussions with the international financial institutions concerning economic policy and economic assistance for 1997 and beyond. The Presidency aims to take decisions on the setting up of the Council of Ministers and the nomination of the Chair of the Council of Ministers during its next two meetings.

The Presidency had a conversation with the Representative of the International Monetary Fund and noted the proposal on the candidacy for the Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Presidency shall present its opinions about this proposal at its next session.

The Presidency noted the selection by the President of European Court of Human Rights of Messrs. Hans Danelius, Louis Favoren and Joseph Marko as members of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Presidency has no objections against the proposed personalities, but the member of the Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik proposed that the President of the European Court for Human Rights consider the possibility for one of the members of the Constitutional Court to be a judge from Greece. The Presidency urged the Federation and the Republika Srpska to nominate their members for the Constitutional Court before November 4, 1996.

An exchange of views took place on Rules of Procedure of the Presidency with the aim of taking the decision on the Rules of Procedure at the next session.

The Presidency started discussions on preparations for the meeting of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, due to held on November 14, 1996, as well as the meeting of the full Implementation Council in London December 4-5, 1996.

The Presidency decided to establish a Joint Working Group at its next session, which will be in charge of preparations of this meeting. The Presidency invited the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Jadranko Prlic to attend its next session in order to discuss the preparations for these meetings as well as other foreign policy issues.

The Presidency discussed the implementation of its decision September 30, 1996 concerning the release of prisoniers. The Presidency members decided to appoint their Personal Representatives, Messrs. Jusuf Pusina, Martin Raguz and Nenad Radovic, in whom they will entrust full authority to act in their names on these issues. They shall be assisted by their respective Exchange Commissioners. The Personal Representatives shall meet on October 30, 1996 at the Office of the High Representative.

The Presidency confirmed that the next session shall take place on Tuesday, October 29, 1996 at the National Museum, and the following one on Friday, November 1, 1996 at the same location.

Office of the High Representative