PRAVNI I INSTITUCIONALNI OKVIR ZA ZAŠTITU ŽIVOTNE SREDINE U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI / LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been recognized by the EU as a potential candidate country for assession since the European Council meeting in Thessaloniki in June 2003. The EU and BIH signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on 16 June 2008 that entered into force after it has been ratified. The Agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the EU and BIH, and it is crucial for reform of politics, economy, trade and human rights. The aim of SAA is to create policies and other actions to achieve sustainable economic and social development of BIH. The policies should ensure that environmental issues are fully included and related to the requirements of harmonious social development from the mere beginning. It’s a common knowledge that the environmental improvement is still limited. Some progress is visible on horizontal legislation, small improvements in air quality, waste management and water quality have been made, while in the area of environmental protection, air pollution control, and risk management, chemical safety and noise management there has not been any progress or improvement. Certain improvements have been noticed in the area of genetically modified organisms (GMO). Bodies dealing with environmental issues have no capacities for implementation and enforcement of legislation at the level of entity, canton and local government.