Belgrade Joint Communique of 11 September 1992 issued by Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Cosic and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Prime Minister Panic and witnessed by the Co-Chairmen (The London Conference)

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Country/entity: Croatia
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Belgrade Joint Communique of 11 September 1992 issued by Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Cosic and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Prime Minister Panic and witnessed by the Co-Chairmen (The London Conference)
Date: 11 Sep 1992
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
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: Dobrica Cosic; Milan Panic
Third parties: Witnessed by Cyrus Vance; David Owen
Description: This joint statement contains principles for engagement with the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, including statements on humanitarian issues, and relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia. It also calls for resumption of talks and an agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Agreement document: BA_920911_Belgrade Joint Communique.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, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
(a) We declare our total condemnation of all practices related to "ethnic cleansing", and commit ourselves to helping reverse that which has already happened;
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, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(c) We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to free all detainees, to close all detention centres and to assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas;

Page 2, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(e) We strongly support the efforts of all agencies, local and international, to relieve the plight of displaced persons in all territories of the former Yugoslavia.
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): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: Page 1, 1.
We have today reaffirmed our total commitment to the decisions taken in London at the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in particular that all outstanding issues should be resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of existing borders, and in a process of urgent and continuing negotiations.
Cross-border provision: Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(d) We welcome President Cosic's offer to the Presidents of Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia to establish mixed committees to normalize and promote economic and practical cooperation. The International Conference's working groups on economic relations and on succession issues will usefully contribute to this work;

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: Page 1, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(c) We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to free all detainees, to close all detention centres and to assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas;

Page 2, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...( e) We strongly support the efforts of all agencies, local and international, to relieve the plight of displaced persons in all territories of the former Yugoslavia.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:... (d) we welcome the imminent resumption of talks, without preconditions, on constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina with the participation of all parties; these will take place at Geneva, in a continuous and uninterrupted process, until full agreement is reached;

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: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 1, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(c) We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to free all detainees, to close all detention centres and to assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas;

Page 2, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(d) We further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance;

Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
(a) We welcome the agreement on the imminent reopening of the road between Belgrade and Zagreb and its symbolic designation as a "road of peace";
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: Page 1, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(c) We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to free all detainees, to close all detention centres and to assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas;
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(d) We further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance;
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:...(b) the provision of power and water to Sarajevo, under international management, should be urgently agreed;

Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(b) We are committed to make all efforts to improve security around Maslenica Bridge so that repairs can be effected and the bridge reopened for traffic as soon as possible;
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(c) We agree that the status of the "Yugoslav pipeline" should be the subject of urgent discussion, in the framework of the working groups of the International Conference;
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 1, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
...(b) We agree that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are wholly null and void;
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:...(b) the provision of power and water to Sarajevo, under international management, should be urgently agreed;

Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(h) Given its importance in the provision of water and power to the region, we recognize the urgent need to reach agreement on problems relating to the Peruca Dam.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(b) We are committed to make all efforts to improve security around Maslenica Bridge so that repairs can be effected and the bridge reopened for traffic as soon as possible;

Page 3, 5.
We pledge our mutual cooperation in order to steadily advance the peace process, to reduce the level of violence and curb the flow of arms. We pledge ourselves to swiftly implement the decisions of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:... (c) every party on the ground must not only commit itself, but take all practical steps, to bring the earliest possible end to all hostilities in and around Sarajevo;
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives: (a) there should be strict observance of the commitment to the collection and supervision of heavy weapons by the agreed expiration date of 12 September 1992;
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(g) We also call on all parties to adhere strictly to the United Nations peace-keeping plan, and in particular to support the efforts of UNPROFOR in the protected areas to eliminate illegal activities of irregular elements, both Serbian and Croatian;
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: Page 1, 3.
With respect to humanitarian issues:
(a) We declare our total condemnation of all practices related to "ethnic cleansing", and commit ourselves to helping reverse that which has already happened;
(b) We agree that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are wholly null and void;
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: UN special envoy Cyrus Vance was a co-chairman of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia
Other international signatory: European Community envoy David Owen was a co-chairman of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, 2.
Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:... (e) we agree on the desirability of stationing observers on the borders of States neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, as requested by Prime Minister Panic; (f) an agreement in principle has been achieved regarding the placing of observers at military airfields, and a definitive agreement will be reached after consulting the United Nations and Governments concerned.

Page 2, 4.
With respect to relations with Croatia:
...(f) We note the importance of the work of the joint commission established by the United Nation's Protection Force (UNPROFOR) to deal with issues related to the "pink zones" and urge intensified cooperation with those efforts; (g) We also call on all parties to adhere strictly to the United Nations peace-keeping plan, and in particular to support the efforts of UNPROFOR in the protected areas to eliminate illegal activities of irregular elements,
both Serbian and Croatian;
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Report of the Secretary-General on the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, (S/24795), 11 November 1992
http://repository.un.org/

Belgrade Joint communique of 11 September 1992 issued by Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Cosic and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Prime Minister Panic and witnessed by the Co-Chairmen

1. We have today reaffirmed our total conunitment to the decisions taken in London at the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in particular that all outstanding issues should be resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of existing borders, and in a process of urgent and continuing negotiations.

2. Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have agreed on the following practical steps and objectives:

(a) there should be strict observance of the commitment to the collection and supervision of heavy weapons by the agreed expiration date of 12 September 1992;

(b) the provision of power and water to Sarajevo, under international management, should be urgently agreed;

(c) every party on the ground must not only commit itself, but take all practical steps, to bring the earliest possible end to all hostilities in and around Sarajevo;

(d) we welcome the inuninent resumption of talks, without preconditions, on constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina with the participation of all parties;

these will take place at Geneva, in a continuous and uninterrupted process, until full agreement is reached;

(e) we agree on the desirability of stationing observers on the borders of States neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, as requested by Prime Minister Panic;

(f) an agreement in principle has been achieved regarding the placing of observers at military airfields, and a definitive agreement will be reached after consulting the United Nations and Governments concerned.

3. With respect to humanitarian issues:

(a) We declare our total condemnation of all practices related to "ethnic cleansing", and commit ourselves to helping reverse that which has

already happened;

(b) We agree that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are wholly null and void;

(c) We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to free all detainees, to close all detention centres and to assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas;

(d) We further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance;

(e) We strongly support the efforts of all agencies, local and international, to relieve the plight of displaced persons in all territories of the former Yugoslavia.

4. With respect to relations with Croatia:

(a) We welcome the agreement on the imminent reopening of the road between Belgrade and Zagreb and its symbolic designation as a "road of peace";

(b) We are committed to make all efforts to improve security around Maslenica Bridge so that repairs can be effected and the bridge reopened for

traffic as soon as possible;

(c) We agree that the status of the "Yugoslav pipeline" should be the subject of urgent discussion, in the framework of the working groups of the

International Conference;

(d) We welcome President Cosic's offer to the Presidents of Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia to establish mixed coll'lllittees to normalize and promote economic and practical cooperation.

The International Conference's working groups on economic relations and on succession issues will usefully contribute to this work;

(e) An agreement in principle has been achieved regarding the Prevlaka peninsula.

A definitive agreement will be reached after consulting the

Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Security Council and the Governments concerned;

(f) We note the importance of the work of the joint commission established by the United Nation·s Protection Force (UNPROFOR) to deal with

issues related to the "pink zones" and urge intensified cooperation with those efforts;

(g) We also call on all parties to adhere strictly to the United Nations peace-keeping plan, and in particular to support the efforts of UNPROFOR in

the protected areas to eliminate illegal activities of irregular elements, both Serbian and Croatian;

(h) Given its importance in the provision of water and power to the region, we recognize the urgent need to reach agreement on problems relating

to the Peruca Dam.

5. We pledge our mutual cooperation in order to steadily advance the peace process, to reduce the level of violence and curb the flow of arms.

We pledge ourselves to swiftly implement the decisions of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia.

Dobrica Cosic

Milan Panic

Cyrus R. Vance

David Owen