The IMF Steering Committee yesterday approved a new stand-by arrangement with Bosnia worth EUR 400 million, aside from which Bosnia can also use the EUR 100 million approved by the European Commission two years ago but which was frozen until now because of a reform standstill.
Bevanda told Sarajevo's Dnevni Avaz that Bosnia would certainly get the first tranche of EUR 65.4 million but that if it failed to comply with commitments, the arrangement would be suspended again.
He said the IMF would insist on structural reforms. "Everyone must face up to the facts and make drastic cuts, primarily in administration, and free up the money for the real sector."
Commenting on the statement by European Union Special Representative Peter Sorensen that Bosnia would join the EU in 2020, Bevanda said all the responsibility was on the country's government. Its primary job is to ensure the implementation of constitutional reforms to eliminate the discrimination against ethnic minorities in elections.