A Press Conference in Sarajevo to Launch the New Twinning Project Bosnia - Herzegovina

“The actions of technical assistance to the Bosnian Public Administration are central to accelerating the process of European integration in the country” Tommaso Andria, Senior Secretary of the Embassy of Italy in Sarajevo, explained during the press conference which was held to launch the Twinning Project "Capacity Building of the Directorate for CIPS (Citizen Identification Protection System)”. The project has been perfectly included in the Italian policy for the area which strongly supports the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the BiH and the EU. The agreement which has been recently implemented, has the process for PA reform as the key pre-requisite.
Saveria Spezzano, Head of the International Activities Office of Formez, underlined that “So far, Formez has managed 48 Twinning projects and has gained great experience in new member states, candidate countries and MEDA countries. This experience has now been offered for the use of the Bosnian partners”. She also stated that the assignment of this project to Formez in partnership with CSI Piemonte, has further consolidated the presence of the institute in South East Europe through actions of institutional support to central and local administrations.
The European Commission which was represented by Ferdinand Kopp, the number two of the Sarajevo Delegation, has chosen to support CIPS which is considered to be a “successful story” in Bosnia and which is currently committed to a delicate process for managing a database of identity cards. This will lead to the introduction of the biometric passport in the country. The general objective of the project which has received a funding of 250.000 euros by the European Commission, is to improve the coordination and to ensure a more systematic methodological approach to the use of new technologies in the public sector and the management of databases for the benefit of Bosnia-Herzegovina citizens.
In conclusion, the project leader Leonardo Minervini who presented the future activities, reminded that three study visits to Italy, France and Estonia in the institutions in charge of  e-government, coordination, protection and management of personal details have been planned, so as to encourage the transfer of competencies for the standardization of ICT systems and e-government.