6 September 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mr. Sven Alkalaj met with the UN Residential Coordinator and the UNDP Residential Representative in BiH, Mr. Yuri Afanas

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mr. Sven Alkalaj met on September 6, 2010 with the United Nations Residential Representative, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Residential Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Yuri Afanas.

During the meeting, it has been discussed about the forthcoming UN General Assembly session and, in that context the implementation of the programs and projects, which UNDP currently conducts in BiH, as well as plans for the following five-year plan. Plans include democratic management program (public sector reform, local administration) social inclusion, environmental protection; increasing the security through the destruction of ammunition surplus and return of refugees, and other programs as well.

During the discussion, the UNDP cooperation with municipalities and cantons was specially emphasized, in the light of the opening the new working positions, whereby various pilot projects will work on the employment, rationalization of energy use and sustainable return.

Collocutors discussed about implementation of the Annex 7 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, i.e. issues regarding the projects of the return of refugees and displaced persons. Minister Alkalaj expressed his pleasure with the UNDP contribution in the area of sustainable return of refugees, in sense of providing the assistance in opening new schools, new working positions and increasing the security conditions for returnees.

Minister Alkalaj and the UN Coordinator Afanas, also discussed joint visits to municipalities and cantons throughout the BiH.