Joint Declaration made at Geneva on 20 October 1992 by the President of Croatia and the President of Yugoslavia (Geneva)

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Country/entity: Croatia
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Joint Declaration made at Geneva on 20 October 1992 by the President of Croatia and the President of Yugoslavia (Geneva)
Date: 20 Oct 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: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: Dobrica Cosic, President, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; Franjo Tudjman, President of the Republic of Croatia
Third parties: Witnessed by: Cyrus Vance; David L. Owen
Description: This short agreement discusses implementation of issues agreed at the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, including the reopening of links between Croatia and FRY, and a call for cessation of hostilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The parties agree to hold future talks on implementation of the Vance Plan for Croatia.

Agreement document: HR_920920_Joint Statement Dobrica Cosic Franjo Tudjman.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 2, 6.
The two Presidents reaffirm their determination to exert all their influence towards a just, peaceful solution of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They urge all parties to the conflict to direct all necessary efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and the negotiation of constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of agreement between the three constituent peoples. With respect to the delivery of humanitarian aid, President Cosic informed the meeting that his Government had made the necessary preparations for the secure delivery of such aid along the Belgrade-Sarajevo route.
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.
Reaffirming their commitment in paragraph 2 of their joint declaration of 30 September, the two Presidents agree that the quadripartite mechanism established therein should start its work as soon as possible. Its priority task should be to organize and facilitate the return and the resettlement, under humane conditions, of displaced persons and groups. The two Presidents further agree that their representatives will provide for an exchange of information on missing persons.
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: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: Page 1, 1.
They note with satisfaction that various specific measures have already been taken to implement several fundamental issues covered in the joint declaration, that is, the agreement on Prevlaka; the stationing of observers at airfields in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in the Republic of Croatia; and the establishment of a Joint Inter-State Committee and its five commissions.

Page 1, 2.
They note that the Joint Committee has held its first meeting. In order to promote and enhance the work of the Committee, and with a view to ensuring conditions for normalization of relations, they agree to establish liaison offices of the Inter-State Committee in each other's capitals, Belgrade and Zagreb. Under the direction of the Committee, the liaison offices will coordinate work on all open questions between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, as a priority, will address the following:
- Reopening of road, rail and telecommunications links between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as re-establishing international links across the two countries;
- Resolving matters of personal property, pensions and remittances, and other problems related to the economic well-being of their people:
- Remaining issues related to dual citizenship.

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: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page 2, 6.
The two Presidents reaffirm their determination to exert all their influence towards a just, peaceful solution of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They urge all parties to the conflict to direct all necessary efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and the negotiation of constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of agreement between the three constituent peoples. With respect to the delivery of humanitarian aid, President Cosic informed the meeting that his Government had made the necessary preparations for the secure delivery of such aid along the Belgrade-Sarajevo route.

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: Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizen, general
Page 1, 2.
They note that the Joint Committee has held its first meeting. In order to promote and enhance the work of the Committee, and with a view to ensuring conditions for normalization of relations, they agree to establish liaison offices of the Inter-State Committee in each other's capitals, Belgrade and Zagreb. Under the direction of the Committee, the liaison offices will coordinate work on all open questions between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, as a priority, will address the following:
...- Remaining issues related to dual citizenship.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 1, 2.
They note that the Joint Committee has held its first meeting. In order to promote and enhance the work of the Committee, and with a view to ensuring conditions for normalization of relations, they agree to establish liaison offices of the Inter-State Committee in each other's capitals, Belgrade and Zagreb. Under the direction of the Committee, the liaison offices will coordinate work on all open questions between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, as a priority, will address the following:
- Reopening of road, rail and telecommunications links between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as re-establishing international links across the two countries;
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: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, 2.
They note that the Joint Committee has held its first meeting. In order to promote and enhance the work of the Committee, and with a view to ensuring conditions for normalization of relations, they agree to establish liaison offices of the Inter-State Committee in each other's capitals, Belgrade and Zagreb. Under the direction of the Committee, the liaison offices will coordinate work on all open questions between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, as a priority, will address the following:
... - Resolving matters of personal property, pensions and remittances, and other problems related to the economic well-being of their people;
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2, 6.
The two Presidents reaffirm their determination to exert all their influence towards a just, peaceful solution of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They urge all parties to the conflict to direct all necessary efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and the negotiation of constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of agreement between the three constituent peoples. With respect to the delivery of humanitarian aid, President Cosic informed the meeting that his Government had made the necessary preparations for the secure delivery of such aid along the Belgrade-Sarajevo route.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: Socio-economic reconstruction→Taxation→Reform of taxation
Page 1, 4.
The two Presidents agree to establish a Joint Inter-State Commission for the consideration of the overall security of Boka Kotorska and Dubrovnik. Joint customs controls will be established on the border.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, 4.
The two Presidents agree to establish a Joint Inter-State Commission for the consideration of the overall security of Boka Kotorska and Dubrovnik. Joint customs controls will be established on the border.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 2, 6.
The two Presidents reaffirm their determination to exert all their influence towards a just, peaceful solution of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They urge all parties to the conflict to direct all necessary efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and the negotiation of constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of agreement between the three constituent peoples...
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
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: Page 1, 3.
Reaffirming their commitment in paragraph 2 of their joint declaration of 30 September, the two Presidents agree that the quadripartite mechanism established therein should start its work as soon as possible. Its priority task should be to organize and facilitate the return and the resettlement, under humane conditions, of displaced persons and groups. The two Presidents further agree that their representatives will provide for an exchange of information on missing persons.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: Witnessed by: Cyrus Vance, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Letter dated 92/10/21 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Yugoslavia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S24704), Annex, pp.2-3
http://repository.un.org/

Joint declaration made at Geneva on 20 October 1992 by the President of Croatia and the President of Yugoslavia

The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Dobrica Cosic, and the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tudjman, met at Geneva on 20 October 1992, under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen.

The two Presidents reviewed the implementation of their joint declaration of 30 September and, in order to provide for its further implementation, declare as follows:

1. They note with satisfaction that various specific measures have already been taken to implement several fundamental issues covered in the joint declaration, that is, the agreement on Prevlaka;

the stationing of observers at airfields in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in the Republic of Croatia;

and the establishment of a Joint Inter-State Committee and its five commissions.

2. They note that the Joint Committee has held its first meeting.

In order to promote and enhance the work of the Committee, and with a view to ensuring conditions for normalization of relations, they agree to establish liaison offices of the Inter-State Committee in each other's capitals, Belgrade and Zagreb.

Under the direction of the Committee, the liaison offices will coordinate work on all open questions between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, as a priority, will address the following:

- Reopening of road, rail and telecommunications links between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as re-establishing international links across the two countries;

- Resolving matters of personal property, pensions and remittances, and other problems related to the economic well-being of their people:

- Remaining issues related to dual citizenship.

3. Reaffirming their commitment in paragraph 2 of their joint declaration of 30 September, the two Presidents agree that the quadripartite mechanism established therein should start its work as soon as possible.

Its priority task should be to organize and facilitate the return and the resettlement, under humane conditions, of displaced persons and groups.

The two Presidents further agree that their representatives will provide for an exchange of information on missing persons.

4. The two Presidents agree to establish a Joint Inter-State Commission for the consideration of the overall security of Boka Kotorska and Dubrovnik.

Joint customs controls will be established on the border.

5. The two Presidents agree to discuss, within their respective competencies, all elements concerning the implementation of the Vance plan at their next meeting with the two Co-Chairmen.

6. The two Presidents reaffirm their determination to exert all their influence towards a just, peaceful solution of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They urge all parties to the conflict to direct all necessary efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and the negotiation of constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of agreement between the three constituent peoples.

With respect to the delivery of humanitarian aid, President Cosic informed the meeting that his Government had made the necessary preparations for the secure delivery of such aid along the Belgrade-Sarajevo route.

7. The two Presidents express their gratitude to the Co-Chairmen for having convened today's meeting and agree to meet again on a date to be specified.

Dobrica COSIC President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Franjo Tudjman President of the Republic of Croatia

Witnessed by:

Cyrus Vance, David L. Owen