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The Presidency of BiH is created under Article V of the Constitution of BiH. The Presidency of BiH consists of three members, one Bosniac and one Croat, each directly elected from the territory of the Federation, and one Serb directly elected from the territory of the Republika Srpska. The members of the Presidency will appoint a chair from their members. For the first term of the Presidency, the chair will be the member who receives the most votes. Thereafter, the Parliamentary Assembly will decide if the chair is selected by rotation or otherwise.

The Presidency has the power to:

• Conduct the foreign policy of BiH.

• Appoint ambassadors and other international representatives of BiH. No more than two thirds may be selected from the Federation.

• Represent BiH in international and European organizations and institutions and seek membership in such organizations and institutions of which BiH is not a member.

• Negotiate, denounce, and, with the consent of the Parliamentary Assembly, ratify treaties of BiH.

• Execute decisions of the Parliamentary Assembly.

• Propose, upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, an annual budget to the Parliamentary Assembly.

• Report, as requested, but not less than annually, to the Parliamentary Assembly on expenditures by the Presidency.

• Coordinate as necessary, with international and nongovernmental organizations in BiH.

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF BiH

The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH is composed of two chambers: the House of Peoples and the House of Representatives.

The House of Peoples consists of 15 Delegates, two thirds from the Federation, (including five Croats and five Bosniacs) and one third from the Republika Srpska (five Serbs). The designated Croat and Bosniac delegates from the Federation will be selected, respectively, by the Croat and Bosniac Delegates to the House of Peoples of the Federation. Delegates from the Republika Srpska will be selected by the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska.

The House of Representatives will consist of 42 members, two thirds from the Federation, and one third from the Republika Srpska. Members of the House of Representatives will be directly elected from their Entity in accordance with an election law to be adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH is responsible for:

• Enacting legislation as necessary to implement decisions of the Presidency, or to carry out the responsibilities of the Assembly under the BiH Constitution.

• Deciding upon the sources and amounts of revenues for the operations of the institutions of BiH and international obligations of BiH.

• Approving a budget for the institutions of BiH.

• Deciding whether to consent to the ratification of treaties.

• Such other matters as are necessary to carry out its duties or as are assigned to it by mutual agreement of the Entities.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BiH

The Presidency will nominate the Chair of the Council of Ministers, who will take office upon the approval of the House of Representatives. The Chair will nominate a Foreign Minister, a Minister for Foreign Trade, and other Ministers as appropriate, who will take office upon the approval of the House of Representatives.

Together, the Chair and Ministers will constitute the Council of Ministers, who will have the responsibility for carrying out the policies and decisions of BiH in all governmental fields, including: foreign policy, immigration, refugee/asylum policy and regulation, inter-entity transportation and communication, and air traffic control.

Foreword

Section II: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)