The agreement provides for the transfer of police powers from the entities to the state level, as well as the coordination and supervision of police work through the state Security Ministry. It also envisions the establishment of mechanisms that will shield the police from political influence.
The agreement, which was moved by Bosnian Serb President Dragan Cavic under pressure from the international community, does not define the organisation of future police districts. The deadline for implementing the agreement is five years.
Although the provisions elicited criticism among members of parliament, the agreement was endorsed with a majority vote given that its adoption opens the possibility of starting stabilisation and association talks with the European Union.
The agreement now needs to be adopted by the House of Peoples, which is expected to occur on October 18.
It is expected that the European Commission will approve opening negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and that this might occur by mid-December.