In his statement to mark 25 years since the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer, encouraged citizens to hold Bosnia’s political leaders accountable so the country can “realise the promised peace by fulfilling its Euro-atlantic potential.”
Palmer’s video message was presented during a ceremony to mark the anniversary in Sarajevo’s City Hall on Saturday.
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He said that the United States and its international partners “were proud to play a part in forging” the Dayton Peace Agreement, “but we recognise that it was the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina who made the definitive decision to build a future for yourselves, your children and generations to come.”
The U.S. official called the anniversary a “milestone of peace,” adding that his country is “focused on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the next 25 years.”
Bosnia has the opportunity to “realise the promised peace by fulfilling its Euro-Atlantic potential,” he stressed.
“This means an improved economy that provides the jobs needed to Anchor young people in the country and enable innovation and entrepreneurship. This means improvements in rule of law and countering corruption, as well as local and state governments that reliably provide services to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said, adding that the international community “stands ready to help achieve this future if Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leaders take the action to realise it.”
He encouraged Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency and party leaders to come together to “make real tangible progress on the steps needed to achieve EU candidate status.”
“By increasing accountability, improving governance and bringing its laws in line with European Court of Human Rights decisions, Bosnia and Herzegovina can finally achieve the future its citizens seek,” Palmer said.
“I encourage you to take part in this civic process, press for change and hold your leaders accountable. Voice to them your hopes for the next 25 years,” he said.
Palmer argued that the institution of Bosnia’s international administrator, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) who is tasked with overseeing the civilian implementation of the 1995 agreement, has “played a vital role in enhancing stability, functionality and the institutional capacity needed for Bosnia and Herzegovina to take its place in the Euroatlantic community.”
“OHR continues to play a key role in monitoring and facilitating the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement so that the country can continue to meet the established criteria to move gradually from international supervision,” Palmer added.
