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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)

  • Country/entity

    Croatia
    Yugoslavia (former)
  • Region

    Europe and Eurasia
    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) )
  • 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.


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