Joint Statement

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Joint Statement
Date: 8 Jul 1992
Agreement status: Agreement with subsequent status
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001)
Former Yugoslavia

The disintegration of former Yugoslavia post cold war saw conflicts which became mediated and produced peace agreements in Slovenia (where the brief independence conflict was mediated by the EC Troika in 1991), Croatia (between Croatian and Serb populations 1991-1995), in Bosnia (between Croatian, Serb and Bosniak populations 1992-1995), in Macedonia (where mediation played a key pre-emptive role in preventing large scale conflict in 2001), in Kosovo (between Kosovar Albanians and Serbian population and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), but also between FRY and NATO, 1998-1999), and a conflict in the Presevo Valley (between Albanians in South Serbia and FRY, 2000-2001). The continued fall-out of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia also saw mediated agreement and ultimate dissolution of the Union between Serbia and Montenegro.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

In 1991, after nationalist parties won the first multi-party elections in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a violent process of disintegration commenced. With its mixed population, Bosnia-Herzegovina became the centre of the following civil war that began in 1992 between the newly formed army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Muslim Bosniacs), and the parastatal forces of self-declared Bosnian Croat (Herzeg-Bosnia) and Bosnian Serb (Republika Srpska) entities within Bosnia-Herzegovina, supported by Croatia and Serbia, with various, often short-lived, coalitions. The General Framework Agreement (Dayton Peace Agreement), signed in 1995, split the country into two ethno-federal entities, the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska, and included continued peacekeeping and institutional administration by international actors.

Kosovo

The conflict between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians has a long history and always involved territorial disputes as well as ethno-political, cultural and linguistic factors. The most recent phase of the conflict began in November 1997 when the Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA or UCK) began their campaign for the independence of Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY – then Serbia and Montenegro). The subsequent war lasted until the NATO intervention, which undertook bombing campaigns of Belgrade and other places in Serbia during spring 1999. The main agreements solving the conflict were internationally driven and, finally, a UNSC resolution imposed a post-conflict arrangement in the wake of what was essentially a NATO military victory. In February 2008, Kosovo’s parliament declared independence, but independence is still internationally disputed.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Alija Izetbegovic; President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tudjman
Third parties: Ministers of Foreign Affairs Dr. Haris Silajdzic and Prof. Dr. Zdenko Skrabalo, the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia Mr. Hrvoje Sarinic, and the Foreign Policy Adviser of the President
Description: This short agreement provides for cooperation between the Republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in opposition to activities the forces of Serbia and Montenegro. Although it was made before the conflict between Croat and Bosniak forces in Bosnia, it has been included because it has a pre-negotiation function with regard to the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia, which dealt not just with non-aggression and Serbia, but outlined a constitutional agreement, that became important to post-conflict agreements between Bosnia and Croatia.

Agreement document: BA_920708_Joint Statement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, 2.
...Because of justified concern for the lives and survival of the citizens of Sarajevo, the continuation of brutal aggression in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ethnic cleansing operations in the attacked by the aggressor still go unpunished and are being concealed.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 1, 4.
The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina appreciates the efforts made by the international community and by the Republic of Croatia in providing help, and in particular the reception and accommodation of a great number of refugees, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Page 2, 5.
Both Presidents reiterate the commitment of their States to the principle whereby, after the cessation of war in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the internal system of this State will be set up democratically on the basis of equality of the three constituent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 2, 5.
Both Presidents reiterate the commitment of their States to the principle whereby, after the cessation of war in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the internal system of this State will be set up democratically on the basis of equality of the three constituent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: Page 1, 1.
In consideration of the fact that both the States have recognized each other, they will establish, as soon as possible, diplomatic relations at embassy level. It has also been decided that the representatives of both Governments should meet as soon as possible to discuss topical questions of interest for both States.

Page 1, 3.
In view of the foregoing, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia have common interests in the defence of their independence and territorial integrity from Serbian and Montenegran aggression.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: Page 1, 3.
...Both Presidents have agreed that this common interest should be realized by ways and means envisioned in the United Nations Charter and underlying the Acts of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizen, general
Page 1, 2.
...All this is taking place at a time when the attention of the global public is drawn to the events in Sarajevo, where attempts are being made to establish an efficient airlift and an overland corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to the suffering citizens...

Page 1, 4.
The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina appreciates the efforts made by the international community and by the Republic of Croatia in providing help, and in particular the reception and accommodation of a great number of refugees, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Democracy: Page 2, 5.
Both Presidents reiterate the commitment of their States to the principle whereby, after the cessation of war in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the internal system of this State will be set up democratically on the basis of equality of the three constituent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, 2.
...All this is taking place at a time when the attention of the global public is drawn to the events in Sarajevo, where attempts are being made to establish an efficient airlift and an overland corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to the suffering citizens...
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 2.
In the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbian and Montenegran forces have launched a new offensive in the immediate vicinity of the border with the Republic of Croatia (Bosanska Posavina), and there have also been continuous attacks of these forces on parts of the Republic of Croatia stretching from Slavonski Brod to Zupanja...Because of justified concern for the lives and survival of the citizens of Sarajevo, the continuation of brutal aggression in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ethnic cleansing operations in the attacked by the aggressor still go unpunished and are being concealed.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Letter dated 92/07/09 from the Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/24253), Annex, pp.2-3

The President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Alija Izetbegovic, and the President of the Republic of

Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tudjman, have met, in accordance with the wish expressed already in their Joint Statement of 15 June 1992, on the occasion of the CSCE Summit held on 8 June 1992 in Helsinki.

Also present during the talks were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Dr. Haris Silajdzic and

Prof. Dr. Zdenko Skrabalo, the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia Mr. Hrvoje Sarinic, and the Foreign Policy Adviser of the President have given the following

JOINT STATEMENT

1. In consideration of the fact that both the States have recognized each other, they will establish, as soon as possible, diplomatic relations at

embassy level.

It has also been decided that the representatives of both Governments should meet as soon as possible to discuss topical questions of interest for both States.

2. In the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbian and Montenegran forces have launched a new offensive in the immediate vicinity of the border with the Republic of Croatia (Bosanska Posavina), and there have also been continuous attacks of these forces on parts of the Republic of Croatia stretching from Slavonski Brod to Zupanja.

All this is taking place at a time when the attention of the global public is drawn to the events in Sarajevo, where attempts are being made to establish an efficient airlift and an overland corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to the suffering citizens.

Because of justified concern for the lives and survival of the citizens of Sarajevo, the continuation of brutal aggression in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ethnic cleansing operations in the attacked by the aggressor still go unpunished and are being concealed.

3. In view of the foregoing, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia have common interests in the defence of their independence and territorial integrity from Serbian and Montenegran aggression.

Both Presidents have agreed that this common interest should be realized by ways and means envisioned in the United Nations Charter and underlying the Acts of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

4. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina appreciates the efforts made by the international community and by the Republic of Croatia in providing help, and in particular the reception and accommodation of a great number of refugees, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

5. Both Presidents reiterate the commitment of their States to the principle whereby, after the cessation of war in the territory of Bosnia and

Herzegovina, the internal system of this State will be set up democratically on the basis of equality of the three constituent nations of Bosnia and

Herzegovina.