In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement reminds us of the end of the war, but also of the challenges that remain

Sarajevo, (Fena) – Today marks 30 years since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which represents a key turning point in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This anniversary serves as a reminder of the end of the war, but also of the challenges that remain present in the society and politics of the country.

The agreement ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which lasted from 1992 to the end of 1995 (officially on December 14, 1995, with the signing of the agreement in Paris), and the signatories were Alija Izetbegović, Slobodan Milošević, and Franjo Tuđman.

It was initialed with the mediation of American diplomat Richard Holbrooke and General Wesley Clark, and was officially signed on December 14 of that year at the Élysée Palace.

The Dayton Agreement defined Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state of three constituent peoples and two entities. The Federation of BiH and the Republic of Srpska became the basic administrative units of the country.

The agreement contained 12 annexes that regulated the political, military, and legal aspects of peace, and its greatest value is considered to be the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace.

However, the Dayton Agreement left a complex and often dysfunctional political system that has been the subject of numerous criticisms and debates over the past three decades.

Many believe that its only value is that it stopped the war, but it did not create a sustainable state as Bosnia and Herzegovina remains with internal divisions and ethnic tensions.

Despite this, the Dayton Agreement opened the way for integration into international institutions, and the European Union and NATO have become important partners in stabilizing the country.

The thirtieth anniversary of the agreement is being marked by scientific conferences and public discussions in Sarajevo, where academics and politicians analyze the achievements and shortcomings of the agreement.

Particular attention is given to the issue of the functionality of the state and its path towards the European Union.

This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the victims of the war and the importance of peace, while the Dayton Agreement remains a symbol of the end of the war, but also a reminder of the need for reforms. (21.11.)