Director of the Council of Europe's Human Rights Directorate Christophe Poirel will pay a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which he will visit the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina tomorrow.

The topic of the meetings that Poirel will hold with members of the collegia of both houses of the B&amp;H Parliamentary Assembly, then with members of the Interdepartmental Working Group for Amendments to B&amp;H Election Law, as well as representatives of opposition parties in the B&amp;H Parliamentary Assembly, will be the implementation of judgment of the European Court of Human Rights from the "Sejdić and Finci v. B&amp;H" case, announced the Parliamentary Assembly of B&amp;H.

The topic of the meetings that Poirel will hold will be the implementation of judgment of the European Court of Human Rights from the "Sejdić and Finci v. B&H" case

Director of Human Rights Directorate of the Council of Europe to visit B&H

Alisa Mutap - Ramić, Dzenan Memic's ex-girlfriend, who is on trial in the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina together with her father Zijad Mutap and three other people, gave birth a few days ago, which is why the trial is pending, the "Avaz" portal has learned. 
Due to the fact that Alisa mutap gave birth, the trial will be postponed indefinitely, at least for two months. It could start only at the end of December.

Alisa, who was on a fateful night in Ilidža with Dženan, was accused three months ago of concealing evidence. Two police officers, Hasan Dupovac and Josip Barić, and Muamer Ožegović, an employee of the Chrystal Hotel in Ilidža, are also accused.
These five are accused of covering up the murder of Dženan Memić on February 8, 2016 in Ilidža.
The first witness in the trial was Dženan's father Muriz Memić.
In an almost two-hour testimony, Muriz Memić told the course of events, from the moment he was informed that Dženan Memić, his son, had been injured.
Muriz said that he immediately went to KCUS, where he found Zijad Mutap and Josip Barić.
-My relative gave mi Dženan's phone. A cousin took the phone from Zijad Mutap. For six years, I have been wondering how Zijad Mutap got Dženan's phone - said Muriz Memić.

<h2>Alisa could not be hit by the vehicle</h2>

He added that approaching Zijad Mutap and Barić from behind, he heard Mutap say that Alisa could not be hit by the vehicle and that she was being threatened.
He then talked to Dr. Alija Čeljo, who told him that the situation was difficult, that Dženan had a brain hematoma, that they have to open his skull and that the operation would take four or five hours.

Alisa, who was on a fateful night in Ilidža with Dženan, was accused three months ago of concealing evidence

Alisa Mutap – Ramić gave birth, what will happen to the trial in the "Dženan Memić" case

President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RSNA) Nedeljko Čubrilović talked today with Gabriel Escobar, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Eric Nelson, US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The officials also discussed the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In an open conversation, the parties agreed that all disputed issues need to be resolved through dialogue, with equal participation of all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the RSNA said.
Also, the participants in the meeting agreed that the starting points in the talks should be the values of peace, the Constitution of B&amp;H and an acceptable state system for all.&nbsp;

The participants in the meeting agreed that the starting points in the talks should be the values of peace, the Constitution of B&H and an acceptable state system for all

Čubrilović and Escobar: Disputed issues need to be resolved through dialogue

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC B&amp;H) still does not know when the competition for the election and appointment of the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H will be announced.
We remind you that after the recent removal of Gordana Tadić from this position, members of the HJPC appointed acting Chief State Prosecutor Milanko Kajganić.
As Halil Lagumdžija, the president of the HJPC B&amp;H, said at the time, the acting president is appointed until the end of the competition procedure.
He then announced that a competition would be announced. However,in the HJPC's response to "Avaz" was stated:
- Regarding your inquiry, we would like to inform you that it is still unknown when the competition will be announced.

Following the recent removal of Gordana Tadić from this position, members of the HJPC appointed Acting Chief State Prosecutor Milanko Kajganić

From the HJPC B&H for "Avaz": It is not known when the competition for the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H will be announced

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić received the Head of the European Union Delegation to B&amp;H and EU Special Representative in B&amp;H Johann Sattler with whom he discussed the current political situation in the country.

They stressed the importance of political dialogue and reducing tensions. Both agreed that threats of unilateral action, especially against the B&amp;H Armed Forces, were unacceptable and undermined Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty.
Podžić thanked Sattler for the European Union's support to the B&amp;H Armed Forces, especially through training and joint exercises with EUFOR and projects in the field of demining and disposal of surplus ammunition, weapons and mines.
Sattler commended the co-operation of the B&amp;H Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces with EU institutions, primarily through EUFOR, which is an important element in strengthening security and stability in the country.
In this regard, the extension of the mandate of Operation Althea, in line with the United Nations Security Council resolution, was welcomed. It was also emphasized that the EU will remain committed to supporting a safe environment in B&amp;H for all citizens.
The meeting also highlighted the important role of the AF B&amp;H in providing assistance to civilian institutions throughout the country, especially in cases of natural disasters, such as fires and floods. It was emphasized that the AF B&amp;H played an extremely important role in helping the population during the great floods in 2014.
Also, the role of the B&amp;H Armed Forces in preventing further humanitarian crisis last winter, quick setting up military tents and arrangement of the migrant camp "Lipa" near Bihać was emphasized, the Ministry of Defense of B&amp;H announced.

They stressed the importance of political dialogue and reducing tensions

Podžić and Sattler discuss the current political situation in B&H

All political parties represented in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) parliament on Monday agreed to hold snap elections next Jan. 23.
Parliament Speaker Onder Sennaroglu said after a meeting of all parties that they reached an agreement for general elections to be held in 2022, on year ahead of schedule.
He also said a committee representing each political party will be established to amend the election and voting law ahead of the polls.
Sennaroglu added that the committee will work on changing the "mixed voting system."​​​​​​​

All parties agreed to hold general elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2022, 1 year ahead of schedule

Northern Cyprus snap elections set for next January

Another bus was set on fire in Northern Ireland on Sunday night, according to local media, as tensions over the Northern Ireland Protocol continue to escalate.

Around 8 PM on Sunday, four masked men hijacked a bus in Co Antrim, in the northern part of Northern Ireland, ordered the driver and passengers off, and set the bus on fire. The incident took place near a Unionist area.
Last Monday, another bus was hijacked and burned in a unionist part of Co Down – that is, an area favoring Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK – another county in Northern Ireland.
In order to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, British Prime Boris Johnson negotiated the Northern Ireland protocol as part of his Brexit deal with the European Union, placing a de facto border instead between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
This is because the protocol basically means that Northern Ireland still has to abide by some EU rules, and certain goods from the UK to Northern Ireland have to be checked.
The protocol is unpopular with Northern Irish unionists, who see it as putting too much distance between them and the UK mainland.
Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the DUP, Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, tweeted: “This is senseless. Such criminal behaviour could lead to death or serious injury. This only harms local people and local communities. It serves no cause whatsoever. The ringleaders should step back. Change is brought about by politics not by burning buses.”
Northern Irish Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon called it “disgraceful and disgusting that our public transport workers have been targeted for attack again,” adding that this is the fourth attack this year.
- The criminals behind these reckless and cowardly attacks have done nothing more than harm their local community, depriving them of a critical public service - she said.
Gerry Kelly, a lawmaker in the Northern Irish legislature for Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland’s largest nationalist party, said: "There is absolutely no place in our society for this criminality and violence.
- We need to see clear condemnation from unionist leaders tonight of this violence and further attempts to stir up tensions. Words and actions are very important, and I would urge unionist leaders to end the provocative language and dishonesty around the protocol.-

"Change is brought about by politics not by burning buses", said leader of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party

Another bus was set on fire in Northern Ireland on Sunday night

UK: Another bus set on fire in Northern Ireland

Speaker of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Denis Zvizdić, after a meeting of members of both houses of the state parliament with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar, told reporters that the first significant message that he was not here as an individual, rather than coming as a representative of the US administration and advocating and presenting the US policy toward B&amp;H.According to him, the important message that Escobar conveyed was that the security situation in B&amp;H will remain calm, that the Dayton PA remains the basis of the US policy towards B&amp;H and that no one has the right to unilaterally change the essence of the DPA or the level of reforms achieved in B&amp;H.
 




Answering reporters' questions, he said that sanctions were not mentioned at this meeting, but it seems to him that the messages that Escobar conveyed at the meeting with the members of the Presidency of B&amp;H as well and at the meeting with us, have been very clear.
- And these are that the United States is fully behind the Dayton Peace Agreement, the B&amp;H Constitution which clearly speaks about the prerogatives of the state, from territorial integrity to the sovereignty of B&amp;H, that no one has the right to unilaterally violate the Dayton Agreement or derogate the reforms achieved in the last couple of decades in B&amp;H and that the US fully stands behind further integration processes in B&amp;H. I think that these are messages from which one can very easily read the position of the United States and their serious determination to defend those positions - concluded Zvizdić.
He says that this should be a clear message to all those who are at the moment trying to unilaterally change the reforms achieved at the state level. 
&nbsp;

According to him, the important message that Escobar conveyed was that the security situation in B&H will remain calm

Zvizdić: The United States fully stands behind the Dayton Agreement

The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided an additional USD 1.8 million to help Bosnia and Herzegovina fight COVID-19 and better respond to the global pandemic. 

In cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in B&amp;H, USAID will improve vaccination management, communication, monitoring and coordination of B&amp;H's pandemic response.
The start of the joint project was marked by the signing of an agreement between USAID Program Director Savannah Thomas Arrigo and UNICEF Representative in B&amp;H Rownak Khan, which was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Deborah Mennuti and UN Resident Coordinator in B&amp;H Ingrid Macdonald.
- Focused on vaccination management, communication, monitoring and overall coordination, this USAID assistance will significantly improve the response of the B&amp;H health sector to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will save more lives and mitigate the devastating effects of the virus - Savannah Thomas Arrigo said.
Khan pointed out that USAID is one of the main donors to Bosnia and Herzegovina in response to COVID-19, and that the agreement signed today is proof of their ongoing commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's health sector.
- UNICEF's response strategy is based and developed on significant investments that have supported all levels of the health sector and responses to health crises in recent years, and relies on risk communication networks, especially for the most vulnerable communities - she added.
Including these funds, USAID has supported Bosnia and Herzegovina since the beginning of the pandemic with a total of USD 11.2 million in mitigation assistance to COVID, using direct and redirected funds.
That support builds on decades of U.S. work to save lives and a leading position in tackling the global health crisis. Over the past 60 years, USAID has saved millions of lives by fighting diseases such as Ebola, HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and now COVID-19, USAID said.

In cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in B&H, USAID will improve vaccination management, communication, monitoring and coordination of B&H's pandemic response

The start of the joint project was marked by the signing of an agreement between USAID Program Director Savannah Thomas Arrigo and UNICEF Representative in B&H Rownak Khan

US provides an additional USD 1.8 million to help B&H fight COVID-19

B&amp;H Presidency member Milorad Dodik said today after a meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar that war is not an option for resolving any issues in B&amp;H and that all processes should be political.

Dodik said that the issue of war is a topic that has no real basis.
- Neither I nor anyone from the Republic of Srpska called for war as an option, and in that respect we absolutely agree that peace and stability should be preserved. Republic of Srpska will continue to take care of itself, because that is the only way to preserve the constitutional B&amp;H - said Dodik.

<h2>"We are for a constitutional B&H"</h2>

He said that he made concrete proposals to Escobar, stating that "all those who are seber rattling in B&amp;H should be the subject of quick interventions.”

- International forces should be directed against such people. No one is allowed to use weapons against others - Dodik emphasized.
He informed Escobar, he says, that all political actions should be constitutional actions.
- We have no intention of undermining territorial integrity. We do not share the value of B&amp;H, which is created by violating the Constitution. We are for a constitutional B&amp;H - said Dodik.

Speaking about Dayton, he underlined that there are no problems with Escobar on that issue.

- They see it in some other form, and we see it in a form that is connected to the constant destabilization of Srpska. We do not share the value of B&amp;H, which was created by violating the Constitution - Dodik stated.
On this occasion, he referred to the fact that the public should know that the Armed Forces of B&amp;H cannot fill the quotas for Serbs and Croats, because they don’t want to go to that army.
- We do not want Muslims to enter those quotas that belong to Serbs and Croats and for it to be a Muslim army - said Dodik.

Republic of Srpska will continue to take care of itself, because that is the only way to preserve the constitutional B&H, he emphasized

Dodik: War is not an option for resolving any issues in B&H

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar met today in Sarajevo with members of the Collegia of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H PA).
The meeting is attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Denis Zvizdić, Deputy Speakers Borjana Krišto and Nebojša Radmanović, and Deputy Speakers of the House of Peoples Bakir Izetbegović and Nikola Špirić, and head of the Croat caucus in the House of Peoples Lidija Bradar.&nbsp;

The meeting is attended by Denis Zvizdić, Borjana Krišto, Nebojša Radmanović, Bakir Izetbegović, Nikola Špirić and Lidija Bradar

Escobar meets with members of B&H PA Collegia

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović claims that B&amp;H must continue its path towards the European Union, as well as fulfilling the obligations from the Opinion of the European Commission and the adopted Reform Program.

He met today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, who is on his first official visit to B&amp;H.

Džaferović said that the need for economic cooperation in the Western Balkans was emphasized at the meeting.
- It is necessary for the countries of the Western Balkans to cooperate economically within the regional economic market, the Berlin Process and under the auspices of the EU - Džaferović emphasized.
He said that he reminded at the meeting that on November 10, 2020, B&amp;H signed a number of documents in Sofia when it comes to regional cooperation.
- Some things need to be clarified when it comes to the initiatives of Belgrade, Tirana and Skopje regarding the Open Balkans. My position is that B&amp;H must go through regional cooperation and that the implementation of documents from Sofia should start - he said.

<h2>There will be no unilateral reduction of reforms</h2>

Džaferović pointed out that the blockade is absolutely unacceptable, that the institutions must be unblocked immediately and that there is no reduction in the achieved levels of reforms.

We consider it important to look at the relations between B&amp;H and its neighbors in order to resolve open issues.
- It is a border agreement, I think it is necessary to immediately finalize the processes of concluding an agreement on the state border with Serbia and Croatia, as the borders were on the day of the international recognition of B&amp;H - he pointed out.
He emphasized that there will be no unilateral reduction of reforms, interpretation or destruction of reforms, which was confirmed at the meeting, adding that all reforms made in the last 26 years were done within the framework of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
He did not particularly want to comment on the meetings that B&amp;H Presidency member Milorad Dodik had over the weekend with the Prime Ministers of Hungary and Slovenia, Viktor Orban and Janez Janša, emphasizing and that the most important for him is that peace and stability in B&amp;H would be preserved.

We consider it important to look at the relations between B&H and its neighbors in order to resolve open issues

Džaferović: B&H must continue its path towards the European Union

There will be no war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dayton remains the basis of US policy, said Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić today, conveying messages from the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, who is on his first official visit to B&amp;H since he was appointed to the post.

After the meeting with Escobar, Komšić told reporters that he said that Serbia is not interested in any kind of conflict in B&amp;H and around B&amp;H, and that the perspective of the entire region is in the integration of all six Western Balkan countries and all initiatives in that direction were acceptable, including the Open Balkans initiative.

He also emphasizes that Escobar's assessment is that everything that is happening in B&amp;H is an artificial crisis, that there is no real basis for it. He also stressed that the United States will monitor the situation, and that nothing regarding changes to any borders, relations defined by the Dayton Peace Agreement, will not be acceptable to the United States.
Chairman Komšić added that the United States believes that the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans is an imperative not only for B&amp;H and this region, but also for the entire European Union.
Although there are different attitudes and approaches of the countries within the European Union, the United States believes that the Western Balkans must go stronger towards the EU integration processes, Komšić emphasizes.

<h2>They did not discuss changes to the Election Law</h2>

He added that there is a large capacity for economic growth in B&amp;H, which can ensure a significantly better life, and the interlocutors exchanged views on the need for stronger involvement of institutions in addressing corruption.

- Prosecutor's offices must do their job, without looking who they will investigate and call when it comes to corruption and crime - Komšić underlined.
He says that they did not discuss changes to the Election Law that the international community is currently insisting on, and that Escobar did not mention any US sanctions and did not exert any political pressure on pro-Bosnian parties.
- There is no reason not to believe Escobar that there will be no war. He also said that nothing will change regarding Dayton - he pointed out.
As for enlargement, Komšić said that we must not give up on joining the European Union and that no matter how Europe sets itself, B&amp;H must not give up because that would be a punishment for all future generations.

The United States will monitor the situation, and that nothing regarding changes to any borders, relations defined by the Dayton Peace Agreement, will not be acceptable to the United States

Komšić: Escobar assessed that an artificial crisis has been created in B&H

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina Eric Nelson organized a working dinner with members of the organization "East West Bridge" in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with members of the organization "Youth for Peace" with Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the State Department Gabriel Escobar on the occasion of his visit to B&amp;H.

The members of these organizations discussed the visions of the future of B&amp;H with an emphasis on young people in B&amp;H and their stronger role, as well as involvement in future positive processes in B&amp;H and the region.
The message that there will be no war in B&amp;H was repeated and that young people should dedicate themselves to a common brighter future, their further education and active role in building a better society of equal opportunities and equal rights for all citizens in B&amp;H, announced the East West Bridge.

Emphasis was on young people in B&H and their stronger role, as well as involvement in future positive processes in B&H and the region

The message that there will be no war in B&H was repeated

Nelson and Escobar discuss visions of B&H's future with EWB members

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy of President Joe Biden Gabriel Escobar started his first official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina talking with youth activists and business leaders.

As the US Embassy in B&amp;H announced on its official Twitter account, they discussed the costs of blocked reforms and political efforts to move B&amp;H backward, not forward, on its path to European Union standards for rule of law, security and prosperity.
Escobar will meet today in separate meetings with the chairman and members of the Presidency of B&amp;H, Željko Komšić, Šefik Džaferović and Milorad Dodik.
During the visit, Escobar will visit Sarajevo and Banja Luka to reiterate US support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to discuss key corruption issues with officials and call on all leaders to return to dialogue and compromise.

They discussed the costs of blocked reforms and political efforts to move B&H backward, not forward, on its path to European Union standards for rule of law, security and prosperity

Escobar meets with youth activists and business leaders

Pfizer said its COVID-19 pill reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89%, a statement from the US pharmaceutical giant said Friday.

No deaths were reported in patients who received the company's COVID-19 oral antiviral pill PAXLOVID in the overall study population through Day 28, compared to 10 deaths in patients who received a placebo, it said.
The study was based on data from 1,219 adults who were enrolled by Sept. 29 and had a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection within a five-day period, as well as at least one medical condition associated with an increased risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, it added.
The company said it will submit the study to the US' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization as soon as possible.
The news makes Pfizer the second company in the world to develop a pill against the coronavirus after Merck's oral antiviral treatment drug Molnupiravir, announced on Oct. 1.

No deaths reported in patients receiving oral antiviral pill PAXLOVID through Day 28, says US pharmaceutical

No deaths were reported in patients who received the company's COVID-19 oral antiviral pill PAXLOVID

Director of Human Rights Directorate of the Council of Europe to visit B&H

Alisa Mutap – Ramić gave birth, what will happen to the trial in the "Dženan Memić" case

Čubrilović and Escobar: Disputed issues need to be resolved through dialogue

From the HJPC B&H for "Avaz": It is not known when the competition for the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H will be announced

Podžić and Sattler discuss the current political situation in B&H

Northern Cyprus snap elections set for next January

UK: Another bus set on fire in Northern Ireland

Zvizdić: The United States fully stands behind the Dayton Agreement

US provides an additional USD 1.8 million to help B&H fight COVID-19

Dodik: War is not an option for resolving any issues in B&H

Escobar meets with members of B&H PA Collegia

Džaferović: B&H must continue its path towards the European Union

Komšić: Escobar assessed that an artificial crisis has been created in B&H

Nelson and Escobar discuss visions of B&H's future with EWB members

Escobar meets with youth activists and business leaders

Pfizer says its COVID pill reduces risk of hospitalization, death by 89%

News

Director of Human Rights Directorate of the Council of Europe to visit B&H

Alisa Mutap – Ramić gave birth, what will happen to the trial in the "Dženan Memić" case

Čubrilović and Escobar: Disputed issues need to be resolved through dialogue

From the HJPC B&H for "Avaz": It is not known when the competition for the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H will be announced

Podžić and Sattler discuss the current political situation in B&H

Northern Cyprus snap elections set for next January

UK: Another bus set on fire in Northern Ireland

Zvizdić: The United States fully stands behind the Dayton Agreement

US provides an additional USD 1.8 million to help B&H fight COVID-19

Dodik: War is not an option for resolving any issues in B&H

Escobar meets with members of B&H PA Collegia

Džaferović: B&H must continue its path towards the European Union

Komšić: Escobar assessed that an artificial crisis has been created in B&H

Nelson and Escobar discuss visions of B&H's future with EWB members

Escobar meets with youth activists and business leaders

Pfizer says its COVID pill reduces risk of hospitalization, death by 89%