Twenty years of peace… more progress ahead

2015 marks twenty years of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a milestone for the country and its people. With Europe now living through a new era of instability, it is an anniversary that reminds us that ensuring peace and stability is a long-term endeavor and that we need to continue fighting for tolerance and compromise.

For the next three days I will be in BiH, meeting the newly elected government and visiting Srebrenica, where I will pay respect not only to the victims and their families, but to all victims of the war in BiH.

The peace process that followed the end of the conflict taught us the importance of trust, reconciliation and confidence-building. It reassured us that progress is possible.

BiH is a country with huge potential and it lies at the very heart of the Western Balkans region. The importance of a positive agenda for the region’s future has been stressed by the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić. I echo his calls for improving living conditions for all the people of this region, promoting social, economic and political development, and healing the wounds of the past.

With a new government taking the helm, it is the moment for a renewed commitment to progress. I am encouraged to see that the authorities reacted positively to the European Union’s new initiative and that their efforts have been rewarded by the unblocking of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Economic and social development is the key, and I strongly encourage the government to develop a national strategy on economic and social reforms. This is of particular importance against the backdrop of unprecedented social discontent and the catastrophic floods witnessed in 2014.

It is time also for BiH to catch up with other countries in the region. Regional co-operation has never been more vital and BiH has a key role to play in the region’s transformation. As proved by the recent transfer of ownership of regional arms control under Article IV of the Dayton Agreement from the OSCE to BiH, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, the Western Balkans will only succeed as a region and not as an uncoordinated group of countries.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country at the very heart of the Western Balkans, has a huge potential.

This year, we mark the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. As we take pride in the progress made in the past, we must acknowledge the importance of dialogue in addressing security challenges. The lesson of Helsinki holds fast to this day: no matter the situation, it is essential for countries to recognise the common challenges they face, work together to resolve them and bring peace and security to Europe, on the basis of our shared principles and commitments.

One of these joint challenges is terrorism. As the threat from terrorism and the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters continue to grow, we must stand united and determined in our condemnation. This is not a challenge only for BiH: it is a global threat that can only be effectively addressed through cooperation. I am therefore encouraged to see that BiH has adopted strong legislation in this sphere. The OSCE Mission will continue its support to BiH in this as well as in other areas, strengthening democratic governance and human rights, promoting economic and social equality and education reform, and contributing to a sustainable and stable security sector.

Twenty years of peace must be followed by more progress. I am confident that the new leaders of BiH will follow the example of many of the country’s OSCE partners, understanding that to hold power means to be ready to balance the desires of some with the doubts of others. This choice is yours to make. 2015 can be your year of action.

The author is OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier.​

This article has been published in various newspapers in local languages: Dnevni Avaz, Oslobodjenje, Vecernji list, Fena, Onasa, Buka, Klix, Frontal, 24 Info and Vijesti.