Latest news with #DaytonPeaceAgreement
Arab News
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
The unfinished business in the Balkans
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina that dominated headlines in the first half of the 1990s. Three decades later, the Balkans, located in southeastern Europe, remains the primary area of unfinished business for Euro-Atlantic integration. While some countries in the region have joined major Western institutions such as the EU and NATO, others remain outside the fold. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo are not part of either the EU or NATO. Meanwhile, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania are NATO members, but are still waiting on EU membership. In recent years, little progress has been made in advancing their accession prospects. As a result, the region continues to represent a source of instability not just for Europe, but also for the broader transatlantic community. Apart from Ukraine, no other region poses a more persistent geopolitical challenge for Europe. This is not just a European problem. Following the violent wars of the 1990s that accompanied the breakup of Yugoslavia, the US played a decisive role in helping stabilize the Balkans — through peacekeeping forces, sustained diplomatic engagement, and eventually the Dayton Agreement itself. At the time, Washington recognized that instability in the Balkans could quickly spiral into broader conflict. Today, however, both the US and Europe appear unwilling — or perhaps unable — to engage seriously in the region. The lack of strategic attention has created a vacuum. This should be cause for concern. Much of Europe's instability over the past century has originated in the Balkans. The First World War began with an assassination in Sarajevo. In the early years of the Second World War, the region played a pivotal role as Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy competed for influence. And in the 1990s, ethnic and religious violence killed hundreds of thousands, many of them civilians, across Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo. Unfortunately, the challenges in the region are far from resolved. Today, Serbia arguably presents the greatest destabilizing potential in the region. Serbian leaders, especially President Aleksandar Vucic, often invoke the idea of a 'Serbian world.' This concept suggests that ethnic Serbs living outside Serbia's modern borders, such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Montenegro, deserve a special status or even direct protection from Belgrade. This mindset has dangerous implications for the region's fragile peace. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its complex internal structure and the Serb-dominated entity of Republika Srpska, are particularly vulnerable. Kosovo, too, continues to face periodic flare-ups. Montenegro, though more stable, has seen political turmoil in recent years that sometimes taps into the same ethnic divisions. The 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement should be a moment for reflection, but also for renewed commitment. Luke Coffey Serbia's assertiveness has also opened the door to increased involvement by Russia and China. Beijing's role is largely economic, focused on infrastructure and energy. Moscow has actively exploited ethnic tensions and political divisions to distract Western policymakers and prevent further Euro-Atlantic integration. One of the reasons the Balkans remain such a challenge is the lack of credible, sustained effort by NATO and the EU to bring the remaining countries into the Euro-Atlantic community. After years — sometimes decades — of vague promises about eventual membership, public frustration is mounting. This creates fertile ground for disinformation, resentment, and foreign meddling. It is time for the West to re-engage meaningfully in the Balkans. NATO and the EU should craft clear strategies and realistic roadmaps for eventual accession tailored to each country's unique circumstances. Policymakers must restore credibility to the idea that integration is possible, not merely aspirational. And whether or not President Donald Trump likes it, the US will have a role to play — as it has since the 1990s. In fact, his first administration made modest but real progress in the region. One major accomplishment was brokering the partial normalization agreement between Serbia and Kosovo under the so-called Washington Agreement in 2020. Another significant achievement was the resolution of the long-standing name dispute between Greece and North Macedonia, paving the way for the latter's accession to NATO. This, combined with Montenegro's NATO membership in 2017, marked a major expansion of the alliance in the Western Balkans during Trump's first term — one that enhanced regional security and reduced space for Russian influence. Trump, now back in the Oval Office, has made global diplomacy a core theme of his second term. He has shown interest in brokering ceasefires and peace deals in conflicts from Southeast Asia to Central Africa. The Balkans should be on that list. There is no reason why the US, working with European allies, cannot convene a new round of high-level diplomacy aimed at resolving some of the region's most pressing disputes, especially between Serbia and Kosovo, and within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement should be a moment for reflection, but also for renewed commitment. The success of Dayton was never supposed to be the end of the story. It was meant to be the beginning of a longer process of political normalization, economic development, and Euro-Atlantic integration. Sadly, that process has stalled. But it is not too late to finish the job. As Washington, Brussels, and London remain understandably focused on Ukraine, they must not ignore another part of Europe with a long history of instability — and vast untapped potential. A stable, secure, and integrated Balkans would strengthen the entire Euro-Atlantic community. It would also send a powerful message to adversaries that Europe is united, resilient, and committed to completing the work it began 30 years ago in Dayton.
The Star
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
BiH court upholds Serb leader's 1-yr sentence
SARAJEVO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Appellate Division Panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on Friday upheld a one-year prison sentence for Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, confirming his conviction for refusing to implement decisions issued by the High Representative in BiH. The ruling follows a public hearing held on June 12, during which both the prosecution and defense filed appeals. The court rejected both appeals and upheld the initial verdict. The decision is final and cannot be challenged further. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a six-year ban on Dodik from holding the office of President of Republika Srpska, effective from the date the verdict becomes final. The incarceration period will not be counted toward the duration of the ban. The court reaffirmed that Dodik had been found guilty of failing to enforce decisions by the High Representative in BiH, who oversees the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. In the same case, Milos Lukic, acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, was acquitted of identical charges. The court found no legal basis for his conviction and upheld the initial not-guilty verdict. Bosnia and Herzegovina is composed of two autonomous entities: Republika Srpska, with a predominantly Serbian population, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily inhabited by Bosniaks and Croats. The two entities operate under a weak central government.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Security Council Urged To Stand Firm As Bosnia And Herzegovina Faces Deepening Crisis
High Representative Christian Schmidt briefed on latest developments surrounding implementation of the 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended more than three years of bloodshed and genocide following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The accord, also known as the Dayton Peace Agreement, established a new constitution and created two entities within the country: the mainly Bosniak and Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the ethnically Serb Republika Srpska. Constitutional order under attack Mr. Schmidt – who's key role is overseeing implementation of the 1995 agreement – said conditions for the full implementation of the civilian aspects of the deal have vastly deteriorated. 'The first quarter of this year was marked by a significant rise of tensions, which without question amounts to an extraordinary crisis in the country since the signing of the Dayton Agreement,' he said. ' I may underline that I see a political crisis. I do not yet have indications for a security crisis.' The sudden deterioration stems from reactions following the 26 February conviction of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik for failing to enforce the decisions of the High Representative. He was sentenced to one year in prison and banned from political office for six years but has appealed the decision. ' After the verdict, Mr. Dodik intensified his attacks on the constitutional order of the country by directing the authorities of the Republika Srpska to adopt legislation that effectively bans State-level judiciary and State-level law enforcement in the Republika Srpska and by even putting on the table a draft Entity constitution, hinting at de facto secession,' said Mr. Schmidt. He told the Council that given the speed with which the draft laws and constitution were made public strongly suggests that they had been prepared well in advance. Fears of disintegration He said these acts and legislation fundamentally contradict the implementation of the Dayton Accords and ' endanger the territorial and societal integrity of the country and of its peoples by performing secessionist acts.' Furthermore, 'they also create legal and executive insecurity by establishing Entity laws and institutions that contradict and compete with State law and competence.' He stressed that 'it will require institutions created in Dayton, such as the Constitutional Court, to prevent this country from falling apart, and when it comes to safeguarding the functionality of the State, my legal competencies as High Representative as well.' As a result, the State-level coalition has been seriously affected, momentum towards European Union (EU) accession has stalled and the functionality of the State is being undermined, while reforms have been sidelined. ' This development is not irreversible, but it is severe,' he warned. 'It needs to be addressed without delay, it requires active engagement by the international community.' Communities shun extremism The High Representative noted that the Serb community 'did not pay heed to Mr. Dodik's unlawful directives.' For example, although ethnic Serbs working in State-level institutions have been pressured to abandon their posts, ' these calls and threats have been left overwhelmingly unanswered.' Meanwhile, the Bosniak community 'has been able to remain calm despite the tensions and to continue on the path of patient dialogue also in order to keep the country's European integration on the table.' He also noticed 'a continuing pro-European commitment' on the part of the Croat community, 'as well as an increased willingness to engage in inter-ethnic dialogue, including in local disputes.' Mr. Schmidt was adamant that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina can and do live together. ' For the most part, the communities in the country do not support extremism or secessionism,' he said. 'There is ample evidence for that in daily life, but ethnocentric politics spends too much time on dividing the communities rather than uniting them.' Peace accord remains crucial While the country is facing complex and varied challenges, he said the current extraordinary crisis is the result of severe attacks against the Dayton Agreement 'encompassing the constitutional and legal order' and has nothing to do with the peace deal itself. 'Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing difficult times. Nobody would have expected 30 years ago that the international community is needed as much today as it is,' he said. 'But the Peace Agreement that this UN Security Council endorsed 30 years ago remains the very foundation on which the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina with its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence can be built.' Although reopening or redefining Dayton challenges the basis for peace and prosperity in the country, 'this does not mean we should not talk about necessary amendments and adoptions of this constitution,' he said. Attacks threaten 'very foundation' 'The way forward includes countering threats and attacks to its very foundation, but also implementing meaningful reforms, including in the context of the country's European integration,' he continued. 'It is about strengthening institutional stability and functionality of the State and continuing to reinforce election integrity in view of the country's general elections in 2026.' Mr. Schmidt concluded his remarks by urging the international community to continue to support and assist the country and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to shape their future and to reassure the population that they have not been forgotten.
Budapest Times
03-04-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
Hungary and Serbia boost military cooperation
Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in Belgrade on Tuesday that Hungary and Serbia have agreed to boost military cooperation and signed an agreement on the 2025 plan. 'It is especially important in today's fast-changing international environment that Serbia and Hungary, two neighbouring countries, conduct frequent high-level consultations to ensure the stability of the region,' Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky told a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Hungary and Serbia have the strongest bilateral defense and military ties among non-EU or NATO member states, and Hungary is helping to upgrade Serbia's armed forces, he said. Serbia and Hungary's strategic partnership was expanded to include defense and military cooperation in 2023, and cooperation between the ministries and armed forces is strengthening, he said. Under the agreement signed on Tuesday, the two countries will organise 79 joint programmes in 2025, including flotilla training, an international exercise for volunteer reservists and marksmanship training, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Hungary is committed 'to [maintaining] the stability and peace of the Western Balkans, and Serbia is key to that.' Hungary also sticks to its stance that 'the European Union is not whole without the Western Balkans, including Serbia,' he said. 'A credible and meaningful enlargement policy has been our strategic goal for years, and it was one of the priorities of Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU in 2024.' Budapest also stands by the Dayton Peace Agreement, he added. Vucic said Serbia's defense ties with Hungary were the strongest among all its neighbours. A comprehensive defense agreement is one of the most important points of the two countries' strategic partnership, he said. In 1999, during the Balkan wars, 'it was thanks to Prime Minister Viktor Orban that NATO could not launch a land attack against what was then Yugoslavia,' Vucic said. 'A full 26 years later, the two parties now have the opportunity to build extremely close strategic ties, to further deepen cooperation, coming closer to a Hungarian-Serbian military alliance.' 'Serbia can learn a lot from Hungary, and there is interest in certain military equipment,' he said. Vucic thanked Hungary for standing by Serbia 'in hard times as well as in good ones,' and said Budapest could always count on Serbia's support. Besides military cooperation, Serbia and Hungary are reliable partners in energy matters, and bilateral trade has been growing steadily year after year, he said.
Russia Today
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Western ‘interventionism' has turned Bosnia and Herzegovina into a ‘failed state'
Western interference has turned Bosnia and Herzegovina into a 'failed state,' and the country now needs Russia's help to resolve the crisis, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has told RT. Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska – the Serb-majority autonomous region within Bosnia and Herzegovina – arrived in Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Bosnia and Herzegovina was created under the 1995 US-brokered Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. It formed a state comprised of the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska, with a tripartite presidency and an international overseer – the Office of the High Representative (OHR), now held by Christian Schmidt, a former German lawmaker appointed in 2021. Dodik has long rejected the OHR's authority, accusing it of overreach and undermining Republika Srpska's autonomy. He was sentenced in February to a year in prison and a six-year political ban for defying the OHR. Sarajevo issued a national arrest warrant for him and is reportedly seeking Interpol warrants. In an interview with RT on Tuesday, Dodik said the Dayton agreement, which formed his country, is no longer upheld, and that he has asked the Russian president, who he met with earlier that day, to assist him in bringing the situation to the attention of the UN Security Council (UNSC). READ MORE: Interpol considering arrest warrants for Serb leaders – media '[Putin] knows of the existence of foreigners that are making up laws and decisions in our country, that there are courts which abide by these decisions… and that this is not in the spirit of Dayton,' Dodik said. He added that as a permanent UNSC member and Dayton signatory, Russia is in a position to effect change. 'We talked about the need to engage in the monitoring of the UNSC. Russia is the only one from which we can expect to have an objective approach... to end international interventionism which degraded Bosnia and Herzegovina and made it into a failed state,' he added. Commenting on the Interpol warrants, Dodik said, 'we'll see how it goes,' adding that he already has the backing of Serbia, Hungary, and now Russia. He went on to call the charges 'a political failure' by Sarajevo and the OHR. READ MORE: Moscow comments on conviction of Bosnian Serb leader 'I think they would like to see me dead, not just in prison. They can't get the Bosnia they want, in which there is no Republika Srpska, if Milorad Dodik remains president,' he said, adding that critics will try to demonize him for meeting with Putin. Dodik has opposed Bosnia's NATO membership and called for closer ties with Russia. He previously suggested that Bosnia would be better off in BRICS and has pledged continued cooperation with Moscow despite Western pressure. Russia, which does not recognize Schmidt's legitimacy due to the lack of UNSC approval, has denounced Dodik's conviction as 'political' and based on 'pseudo-law' imposed by the OHR. After meeting with Putin, Dodik said on X that he will return to Republika Srpska on Saturday to meet with regional leaders, adding that Russia has agreed to advocate for an end to the work of international bodies in Bosnia, including the OHR. .mediaplayer { min-height: 150px; } .jwplayer .jw-controls .jw-controlbar .jw-icon-cc { display: none; } .media__video_noscript { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; } .full_transcript_text { display: block; } прап
