CRANS MONTANA FORUM STARTS IN SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - The exceptional session of the Crans Montana Forum (CFM) is taking place from October 7 to 10, 2008 in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.Bosnia has become a major point of gravitation in the southeastern Europe. Its exemplary political stability allows great prospects for economic development. The foreign investment climate is excellent and many international operators are already active in the country.

The aim of the Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo is to present key opportunities in terms of joint ventures and foreign direct investment. Major strategic issues will be addressed: Transport Networks, Energy Production & Distribution, Network Integration, Telecommunications and ICT, Tourism, Industrial and Economic Infrastructures, Project Funding (including PPPs). In addition, a “Trade Capacity Building Programme” will be proposed at a regional level.

This is the most important diplomatic-economic event this year for Bosnia and the region. At this most renown, most authoritative and biggest political-economic investment forum, the key political leaders, decision markers, invertors, bankers and entrepreneurs will be given a chance to get an insight into all the potentials of Bosnia. This is a first time that Bosnia is hosting this prestigious event.

The three proposed topics to be discussed at the Forum are: regional corridors (road-railway-energy-gas-corridors etc.); harmonization of political environment in the region in order to enter the demanding EU market; tourism-the joint development opportunity for the region.

"Countries on the road to accession to EU must cooperate closely and promote economic cooperation in order to satisfy EU parameters," stated today at the press conference in Sarajevo founder and chairman of the Crans Montana Forum, Jean Paul Certenon."

The gathering is expected to be attended by presidents of prime ministers of the countries in the region, as well as representatives of the European Commission, of the key financial institutions, investment funds and banks of the EU, of the countries in the region and of countries in the Gulf, of big corporations and of investors interested in investments in Bosnia and the region.

“We are looking forward to this great event, and we consider it one of the most successfull ones held in the course of this year. We are very much encouraged by what we have seen in Sarajevo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular by the demonstrated high level of interest for the future development of Bosnia and the region as well, to which testifies over 400 registered participants. We are looking forward to creation of preconditions for the new investment cycle in a very dynamic region" stressed the team leader in charge of Strategy, of the Crans Montana Forum from Switzerland and the Duchess of Monaco, Thibaut Maclet.

The Bosnian government recognized the importance of the gathering and provided financial support for its organizing and also authorized the FIPA to sign the agreement on its organizing and coordinate organizational activities.

The Crans Montana Forum is an International Organization created in 1986 whose importance and prestige are well-established.

CMF works for the promotion of international cooperation and contributes to global growth while ensuring a high level of stability, equity and security. The aim is also to foster the best practices and ensure a global dialogue.

The first Crans Montana Forum was dedicated to the political and economic reconstruction of the post Cold War Europe. Since then, the Forum has continued to contribute and create meeting opportunities for its participants.
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BOSNIAN MINISTER OF FINANCE DRAGAN VRANKIC APPOINTED NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR IPA FUNDS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - The Bosnian government named the Bosnian Minister of Finance Dragan Vrankic the Chairman of the National Coordination Board for Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, or simlpy IPA, is a new funding mechanism of the European Union. As of 2007, it replaced previous programmes such as the PHARE programme and CARDS. Unlike the previous assistance programs, IPA offers funds to both EU candidate countries and potential candidate countries.

”National coordinator cannot set priorities of Bosnia by himself, but there should be a body which will help to choose priorities for usage of IPA funds”, stated at the press conference Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Spiric.
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SPIRIC: BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN BOSNIA BY THE END OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2009

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - The Bosnian government adopted yesterday information by the Bosnian Ministry of Civil Affairs related to the activities regarding issuing personal documents and locations for issuing as well as the Plan of the activities for introducing biometric passports.

Bosnia's Prime minister Nikola Spiric announced after the session that this is one of the conditions for liberalization of the visa regime with the EU countries, and the end of the first half of 2009 stays as a date when Bosnia should introduce biometric passports.

He pointed out that the Bosnian Council of Ministers suggested that the entity, cantonal and local organs establish digitally authorized electronic record of citizens by January 1st 2010 the latest and that they should perform inspection supervision at every location at least twice a year.

He warned that it is less important if Bosnia would introduce biometric passports on May 31st 2009, since what Brussels will value is whether the data basis according to which the documents are issued are safe.

"That where this need comes from, since the registry offices are neuralgic points for issuing false documents and that is why the central base of data is needed," Spiric said.

A biometric passport is a combined paper and electronic identity document that uses biometrics to authenticate the citizenship of travelers. The passport's critical information is stored on a tiny computer chip, much like information stored on smartcards. Like some smartcards, the passport book design calls for an embedded contactless chip that is able to hold digital signature data to ensure the integrity of the passport and the biometric data.
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BOSNIAN STATE PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE ON PROPOSAL FOR NEW LYRICS FOR BOSNIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM BY THE END OF 2008

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - Proposal of the new lyrics for the Bosnian national anthem should be in parliamentary procedure by the end of 2008 and commission for selection should complete the procedure by choosing one proposal which will be sent to the parliament.

The commission composed of the members of the Bosnian State Parliament, renowned writers and music authors on Monday concluded a competition procedure opened in June and started the reading process and rating of proposals.

Public competition was answered by 339 proposals which will be reviewed by the commission and select the best ten for the second round. The best one will be delivered to the Bosnian State Parliament for a final decision and author of the text will be rewarded with 30,000 Bosnian Marks.
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WEST HERZEGOVINA CANTON POLICE JOINS FORCES WITH LA STRADA TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THIS PART OF BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) – Within the framework of the ‘Usudi Se!’ campaign the Ministry of Interior of the West Herzegovina Canton has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with La Strada, a foundation aiming to prevent and tackle human trafficking in Bosnia.

“We were looking for a partner who shares the same values and who is resolute to take a risk and fight this serious form of crime,” said Minister of Interior Ivica Gaspar. “We have found all of these virtues in La Strada.”

A joint team composed of a police officer and a member of La Strada will coordinate activities and ensure a smooth information flow with regard to human trafficking and victims’ needs.

The EU Police Mission in Bosnia (EUPM) welcomed the agreement, as it has been advocating closer cooperation between the police and civil society throughout its public information campaigns.

La Strada Bosnia is a member of the international La Strada network, which works on the prevention of human trafficking in nine southeastern European countries.

“Since our establishment in 2000 we have managed to rescue 190 women from the jaws of human trafficking, slavery and forced prostitution,” says Fadila Hadzic, the Director of La Strada Bosnia.
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TURKISH AIRLINES WINS 49% STAKE IN BOSNIAN NATIONAL CARRIER B&H AIRLINES

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 8,2008) - Turkish Airlines has submitted the best bid for the sell-off of the Bosnian national carrier B&H Airlines, a government offical said today on condition of anonymity.

"After the evaluation of all bids, we found the offer of Turkish Airlines by far the best," the senior official said on the sidelines of the Crans Montana economic forum in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Malaysian Comintel Corporation and a Jordanian consortium that includes Royal Jordanian Airline were among companies that made binding bids for a 49 percent stake in the company.

The official said Turkish Airlines has proposed to cover the cost of leasing two Boeing aircraft of 5 million Euros (6.81 million US Dollars) and take over a previous government loan on condition of getting an increased stake in the company.
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