Summary: March 5, 2002: Intervention by Dr Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy at the Security Council on on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (New York)
I should like to thank you, and all the members of the Security Council for this opportunity to speak to you today.
It is very appropriate that we should devote time and attention to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina today. There are so many issues and events competing for our attention in the Balkans that sometimes we risk neglecting all but the most immediate of crises. I welcome therefore the Presidency's initiative in organising today's debate. Now is a crucial time for all of us - Bosnians and the International Community alike - to reflect on our responsibilities and to commit ourselves to meeting
them.
The human and political tragedy of the war that began ten years ago is still a vivid memory for me personally, and I believe for most Europeans. I have closely followed events in BiH in different contexts in this period of time. Today I believe that BiH is at a crossroads. Fundamental choices have to be made and responsibilities assumed by its people and by its politicians. On the one hand, BiH could make a positive choice to make a determined effort rapidly to implement reforms and join the
path that leads towards the European Union. Alternatively, the country could choose a path that will I believe lead to ever-greater isolation, to missed economic opportunities, and to a political wilderness where it will be left behind by more ambitious and more far-sighted neighbours.
Progress has been made during recent years. Indeed, a number of very significant achievements can be recalled: adoption of important pieces of state level legislation; an increase in minority returns, and the steady strengthening of the country's institutions. All of these are important steps forward, and constitute proof that real progress is possible given the political will. This progress has been due in no small part to the outgoing High Representative in BiH, Wolfgang Petritsch. I would
like to echo on behalf of the European Union the tributes paid by previous speakers to Wolfgang Petritsch's skill and tenacity in encouraging progress.
The European Union very much welcomes the fact that last week in Brussels the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board designated Lord Ashdown as successor to Wolfgang Petritsch. I look forward to the confirmation of his appointment by the Security Council. The new High Representative will inherit a situation where, despite the progress to date, much more remains to be done. The European Union expects the authorities at all levels, and in particular in the entity of Republika Srpska, to
cooperate fully with the new High Representative.
Let me add that there needs to be decisive progress also as regards the war crimes indictees. I am convinced that the painful chapter in Bosnia's history that began a decade ago will never be properly closed until justice is done, and seen to be done. That means that all indictees must answer the charges made against them. State and entity governments must therefore cooperate fully - in deed as well as in word - with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
The International Community must also meet its responsibilities, and here the European Union is playing an increasingly important role, firstly, in terms of financial assistance, secondly, in terms of providing a longer-term political perspective, and thirdly, in terms of a concrete contribution to peace and stability.
The EU has and will continue to provide an important amount of financial assistance. In total, the European Union has provided more than 3 billion Euro in financial assistance to BiH since 1991. And this year alone the EU is likely to contribute a further 200 million Euro.
The European Union has provided BiH and the wider region the prospect of eventual integration with the EU. A new phase has begun, and a new perspective has been opened. While the Dayton/Paris Accords were designed to guide the country away from war, the prospect of an eventual Stabilisation and Association Agreement offers a clear route towards a European future. But the pace of progress towards this European perspective is entirely in the hands of B/H herself. One needs only to consider the
relative progress of other states in the region to understand this. If a determined effort is not made soon by Sarajevo and Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be left behind.
The European Union is preparing to take on important new responsibilities as part of the International Community. Let me take the opportunity to say a few words about the new European Union Police Mission - the EUPM, as we have decided to call it, which will be ready to take over from the IPTF on 1 January 2003 in the first ever EU operation in the civilian crisis management field.
First, it will build on the remarkable achievements of the IPTF under the leadership of Jacques-Paul Klein and Mr Coeurderoy. The mission will follow, not replace, the IPTF. It will be a different mission. But it will draw extensively on IPTF's experience, not least Jacques Klein's help and advice, reflecting what the IPTF will have achieved by the end of this year and what else needs to be done in the coming years. It will draw also from the very good and important co-operation established on
the ground with SFOR.
The EU police mission will seek to establish sustainable policing arrangements under BiH ownership in accordance with best European and international practice, thereby raising current BiH police standards. The EUPM, entrusted with the necessary authority to monitor, mentor and inspect, should achieve its goal by the end of 2005. Its strength would be around 470 police officers and 70 civilian experts.
The EU's aim is a broad approach to the whole range of Rule of Law needs, including police activities. The EU police mission, supported by the European Community's institution building programmes, would thus contribute to overall peace implementation in BiH as well as to the achievements of the EU's overall policy in the region, notably the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Mr Secretary-General,
You have stressed on many occasions that a regional actor should assume the follow-on of the IPTF to preserve what has been achieved and to continue monitoring and assistance. The rapid development of the European Security and Defence Policy and the work done by the EU Member States on capabilities, including on police capabilities, have made it possible for the EU to assume this follow-on.
I very much welcome the fact that this very first mission of ours serves to emphasise two things: firstly, the openness of the European Security and Defence Policy, and, secondly, the willingness and ability of the EU to work closely with the United Nations. The EU has decided to invite 20 countries to make offers of contributions to the EUPM. Moreover, the transition from the IPTF to the EU police mission appears to me a concrete example of the kind of cooperation between the UN and the EU
that is now feasible, desirable, and in line with the Brahimi recommendations. Both the EU and the UN are aware of the need to establish practical arrangements to ensure a smooth and seamless transition between the IPTF and the EUPM.
ESDP strengthens the Union's contribution to international peace and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. The ESDP process increases the range of instruments available to the international community in response to crises. Given the many commitments that the UN is facing, the follow-on of the IPTF by the EU will allow the UN to allocate resources elsewhere. It will thus bring not only a first demonstration of cooperation between the EU and the UN in this area but also,
and this is our shared hope, bring added-value to UN efforts in general.
Mr President, Mr Secretary General, a little more than ten years ago it seemed inconceivable to many of us that a conflict as bitter and brutal as that in BiH would ever break out again in Europe. Many painful lessons have been learnt in the intervening period. Ten years after the war began the European Union has proved its commitment to the future stability and prosperity of BiH and the wider region. We are absolutely determined to play our part in the establishment of peace, security and
stability. We have offered the prospect of, and concrete assistance in, the progressive integration into European structures. But alone our commitment, our determination, our vision is not enough. We need from the Bosnian people and politicians a similar degree of commitment, determination and vision. It is time for us all to fulfil our responsibilities, and thus to allow BiH to focus on the decade that lies ahead.
Thank You.
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