MINISTER OF ECONOMY CANTON SARAJEVO MIJATOVIĆ WITH FEDERAL MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, WATER MANAGEMENT AND FORESTRY HRNJIĆ: KEY TO PROGRESS IS IN QUALITY COOPERATION OF ALL LEVELS GOVERNMENT

SARAJEVO, JULY 25 (ONASA) – The Minister of Economy of the Sarajevo Canton, Zlatko Mijatović, attended yesterday a meeting in Vlašić organized by the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, Kemal Hrnjić, with all cantonal or county ministers whose competence is agriculture.
The meeting discussed activities on planning and harmonizing agricultural policy in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, improving the work of agricultural advisory services, as well as projects of international financial partners and funds intended for cantonal ministries of agriculture in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I responded to the meeting with pleasure, because I believe that the key to progress is the quality cooperation of all levels of government,” said Minister Mijatović, adding that the meeting presented the latest information related to the spread of African swine fever in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the activities undertaken to solve this problem.
“My position is that in situations like this, we must think ahead, we must continuously work to strengthen the capacity of institutions such as the Veterinary Institute, which have the knowledge and the ability to quickly and efficiently analyze samples for the purpose of detecting infectious diseases. Such institutions are first in line when it comes to the protection of the Minister of Health, both people and animals, and we need strong and operational ones,” stressed Mijatović.
In order to monitor the situation and take preventive measures related to the occurrence of African swine fever, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kosovo formed a coordinating body for monitoring the situation of this infectious disease in early July, which is in continuous coordination with the competent authorities.
The coordinating body is actively working on the creation of a plan of preventive activities and an action plan in the event of the occurrence of African swine fever in the area of Canton Sarajevo. Special emphasis is placed on wild boars, which are significantly more prevalent in this area.
Minister Hrnjić pointed out that the commitment of the relevant federal ministry is to harmonize the agricultural policy, and thus the incentive policy, with the policy of the European Union.
“We in the Canton of Sarajevo are already on the right track, our incentive policy is almost completely aligned with the policy of the European Union, and we will definitely strive for full alignment. Through World Bank projects, in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the procurement of software solutions is planned. In this way, the management of the incentive policy of the canton will be facilitated, and the said software will facilitate the collection and processing of data. Attending such meetings is a pleasure and I hope that this meeting is only the first in a series. I am glad that Minister Hrnjić resolutely started to build a team spirit, because a really good team is necessary in order to do everything within our competence to facilitate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry into the European Union,” stressed Minister Mijatović.