Minister Doughty on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement
On 14 December 1995, thirty years ago, the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as the Dayton Peace Agreement, was officially signed in Paris.
UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty said:
Thirty years ago, the Dayton Peace Agreement brought an end to one of the darkest chapters in our continent’s history and laid crucial foundations for peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, we honour the memory of all the victims of this brutal conflict and are reminded that European security can never be taken for granted.
The UK has long played a leading role in safeguarding Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, independence and aspirations for closer Euro-Atlantic integration. This includes our ongoing work with the High Representative, EUFOR and other partners, in upholding Dayton, backed through UN Security Council resolutions.
Achieving self-sustaining peace and reconciliation, enhancing economic connectivity, and delivering on the aspirations of people across Bosnia and Herzegovina for a peaceful and prosperous future, were at the heart of discussions at this year’s UK-hosted Berlin Process, to support meaningful progress across the whole Western Balkans region.
We are resolutely committed to work with the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and wider region, to support efforts towards a more stable and prosperous future for all citizens.
In the spirit of Dayton, we continue to encourage consensus and compromise, delivering reform and progress by focusing on what unites rather than divides.