PETRITSCH PASSES PACKAGE OF LAWS ON STRENGTHENING LAW-BASED STATE

SARAJEVO, Nov 12 (Hina) - High Representative to Bosnia- Herzegovina Wolfgang Petritsch on Sunday passed a package of laws consolidating state institutions and supporting economic reforms. #L# Petritsch told a news conference in Sarajevo Sunday with his decision the law on a state court of Bosnia-Herzegovina has come into effect, securing the rule of law at a state level. This law is also of vital importance for international investors who are insecure about investing money into a country in which an institution for solving proceedings concerning foreign trade does not exist, a statement issued by Petritsch's office said. His decision also made effectual amendments to the law on pension and invalid insurance in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Republika Srpska (the country's two entities). Minimal pension thus in the Bosnian Federation is 117 convertible marks and 80 convertible marks in Republika Srpska, at the same time creating conditions for the allocation of more than 150 million marks of loans granted by the World Bank intended for structural adjustments. A law connecting pension funds in Sarajevo and Mostar has also come into effect through the decision Six laws were also put into effect, in the areas of standards at a state level, creating conditions for Bosnia-Herzegovina to begin using the advantages of free export to European Union markets. Historical changes which occurred in this region now allow Bosnia- Herzegovina to be directed towards solving true issues, not fear and paranoia, Petritsch said, explaining that the passing of these laws was necessary for the continuation of economic reforms in the country. He asserted Croatia was now speedily moving towards European associations, and the same thing could soon happen with Yugoslavia. Bosnia-Herzegovina should not lag behind in this process, he added. (hina) lml