AMIDŽIĆ: BEĆIROVIĆ MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR BLOCKADE OF BUDGET OF BiH INSTITUTIONS

SARAJEVO, JUNE 2 /SRNA/ - Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić stated that the failure to approve the budget of BiH institutions has blocked the increase in the salary of employees in joint institutions and that the Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency Denis Bećirović bears the greatest responsibility for this.

Amidžić pointed out that at the session of the Presidency of BiH, where the proposal for the budget of the institutions of BiH and the international obligations of BiH was considered, only the Serb member of the Presidency Željka Cvijanović gave support, while the adoption was the most problematic, as Bećirović connected the issue with other topics that have nothing to do with that document.

He said that he was aware of the difficult financial situation of BHRT, but that other companies and institutions in BiH are also in an unenviable position, such as Željezara in Zenica or Vodovod from Banja Luka.

"But that has nothing to do with the budget of BiH institutions and BiH's international obligations," Amidžić told reporters at the Administrative Center of the Government of Republika Srpska in Istočno Sarajevo.

Speaking about the role of SDP officials in the process of adopting the budget, Amidžić said that only the Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers Zukan Helez showed political rationality because he did not oppose the adoption of the budget at the session of the Council of Ministers.

According to him, the President of the Government of the Federation of BiH Nermin Nikšić contributed to the global fiscal framework not being adopted by postponing the sessions of the Fiscal Council, while Bećirović, as he stated, put politics before the interests of the citizens.

Amidžić warned that the implementation of the NCTS system, which should enable a faster flow of goods across border crossings, could also be slowed down due to the blocking of the budget.

"We are in the sixth or seventh phase of that process, and digitization would allow carriers to stay at the borders less," said Amidžić.

He assessed that the blockades continue to the detriment of citizens and the economy, and also criticized the member of the Management Board of the Indirect Taxation Administration /ITA/ of BiH Zijad Krnjić, due to earlier disputes related to infrastructure and customs projects.

Amidžić reminded that the budget was adopted unanimously in the Council of Ministers and that no budget beneficiary had any objections.

"This budget foresees more than BAM 130 million KM for salaries of employees in joint institutions, the application of a higher base from January 1, an increase in meal allowances in accordance with the collective agreement, holiday pay and a 15 percent increase in transportation fees," said Amidžić.

He pointed out that it is difficult for him to accept that in BiH important decisions are blocked for political reasons.

"It is very difficult for me to live in a country where there is almost no minimum of political or human reason. The responsibility for this should be borne by those who did not support the budget, and above all I am talking about Bećirović," said Amidžić.