Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Country/entity

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Yugoslavia (former)
  
• Region

  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  
• Agreement name

  Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Date

  19 Oct 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, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Third parties

  Signed under the auspices of the ICFY Co-chairmen Cyrus Vance and David Owen, in the presence of UNPROFOR Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Satish Nambiar.
• Description

  This short statement contains agreement several issues, including the demilitarization of Sarajevo, mechanisms for humanitarian aid and the release of detainees, and the establishment of an independent war crimes commission of experts.

• Agreement document

  BA_921019_Joint Statement issued at Geneva.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Having met on 19 October 1992 at Geneva under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia,

Dobrica Cosic, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, wish to make the following statement:

1. The two Presidents welcomed the invitation of the Co-Chairmen to hold this meeting and expressed their appreciation to them.

The two Presidents are of the view that the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia represents the forum for resolving outstanding problems in the area of the former Yugoslavia and pledge their support for the efforts of the Co-Chairmen.

They reaffirmed all commitments entered into at the international conference in London.

Their meeting took place in an open, frank atmosphere and addressed a wide range of issues in a comprehensive fashion.

2. They reaffirm the commitments of the International Conference in London on the inviolability of existing borders other than through changes reached by peaceful agreement.

They further reaffirm that a comprehensive political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be found by agreement between the Republic's three constituent peoples within the International Conference at Geneva.

All questions concerning succession of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be resolved within the framework of the International Conference or, as appropriate, bilaterally.

3. The two Presidents agree that efforts should be intensified at all levels and by all parties involved in the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectuate an immediate cessation of hostilities.

4. They agree on the urgent need to end the blockade of and to demilitarize Sarajevo and other cities with the assistance and under the supervision of the United Nations Protection Force.

In this connection the two Presidents express the hope that the work of the Mixed Military Working Group in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be carried out intensively with participation at senior military level.

The Mixed Military Working Group should meet in continuous and uninterrupted session.

5. They welcome the statement by the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference issued at Geneva on 13 October last and will within their

respective competencies see that it is carried out as soon as possible.

President Cosic informed President Izetbegovic that he had received a report today to the effect that Bosnian Serbs' military aircraft had been confined to hangars;

upon his return to Belgrade he intended to sign an agreement with Bosnian Serb representatives transferring these aircraft from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The two Presidents further agreed on the desirability of promptly stationing observers at military airfields as provided for in United Nations Security Council resolution 781 (1992), as well as at their common State border.

6. The two Presidents agree on the need for all the parties in the conflict to bring under effective command and control all armed units on the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to eliminate all paramilitary groups and criminal and mercenary elements emanating from whatever source.

7. They declare their total condemnation of "ethnic cleansing" and commit themselves to helping reverse that which has already taken place.

They will also use their best endeavours to bring about conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their permanent residences.

They further declare that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are null and void.

They 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, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas.

They further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance to the populace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

8. The two Presidents note the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 780 (1992) establishing an impartial commission of experts to examine, gather and evaluate evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

They express their firm conviction that all perpetrators of criminal acts committed during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be punished in accordance with all relevant legal provisions.

9. The two Presidents agree to meet again with the Co-Chairmen at a date to be determined.

They thank the Co-Chairmen for today's meeting and also express their appreciation at the presence of UNPROFOR Force Commander, Lt.-Gen.

Satish Nambiar.