As of May 7, there are no active cases of COVID-19 in Brčko. This is excellent news and affirmation that if a community stands together for a common goal, great things can be accomplished, the Principal Deputy High Representative and Brčko District Supervisor Michael Scanlan said today. It also serves as recognition of the amazing work of the District institutions, the police, inspectorate, the Red Cross and volunteers and NGOs who have been working tirelessly to contain the spread of the virus.
Brčko is now entering a new phase. The pandemic is not over, but life will begin to gradually return to normal. But this also means continuing to strictly observe the instructions and measures enacted by the authorities. At the same time, institutions and businesses must do everything in their power to ensure the health and safety of their employees, and of the clients they serve. Everyone must work together, and the exemplary cooperation demonstrated these past months must continue stronger than ever.
Today the Supervisor held an online meeting with the Brčko Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Siniša Milić and Anto Domić, and the District Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Esed Kadrić and Ivo Filipović. They talked about the progress achieved on reforms to date, and steps that can be made to safely reengage on forwarding good governance, infrastructure development, and private sector growth initiatives in the District.
The Supervisor commended the measures to mitigate the economic consequence of COVID-19, as well as the progress made in May to keep on track the adoption this summer of the law on funding of associations and foundations, and the establishment of a public employees’ financial holdings register. Work also continues on the preparatory steps to ensure that the modernisation of the port and the reconstruction of Brčko-Gunja Bridge can begin in late summer or early fall, with full respect for the epidemiological safety guidelines and conditions on the ground.
These timeframes envision tangible outputs before the elections, helping create the conditions for an issues-based election campaign, and setting the stage for more good work after the elections. As always, the international community stands ready to assist and support genuine reforms for the good of the community, concluded the Supervisor.