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Resolution on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement

2015/2979(RSP)

The European Parliament adopted by 525 votes to 42, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups.

Whilst remembering all of the tragic victims of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Parliament recalled that the Dayton Peace Agreement, signed on 14 December 1995 in Paris, put an end to the bloodiest war in Europe since the Second World War. Although the Agreement ended the war, it failed to create a functioning, self-sustainable state.

Parliament called on the authorities to use the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement as an incentive to move forward with the necessary reforms – especially in view of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s forthcoming EU membership application. Priority should be given to:

  • addressing the socio-economic needs of citizens must be the priority;
  • establishing an effective coordination mechanism on EU matters;
  • continuing with constitutional and political reforms and democratisation of the political system, which will lead in the direction of ensuring true equality and democratic representation of all three constituent peoples and all the country’s citizens.

Parliament welcomed the results achieved with the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), reconstruction and property restitution, in line with the provisions of Annex VII to the Dayton Agreement. It insisted on the need:

  • for full implementation of the annex and the related strategy in order to ensure a sustainable return and also fair, comprehensive and durable solutions for internally displaced persons, refugees and other war-affected persons;
  • for the sustainable return of Croats, Bosniaks and others into the Republika Srpska;
  • to make progress in improving the socio-economic integration of those who have returned;
  • for better coordination of efforts at all levels and more attention to be given to the most vulnerable displaced people, including Roma and women victims of violence.

Lastly, Members reiterated the EU’s commitment to the European perspective and the further accession process of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of all Western Balkan countries.