Vlašić, April 2005

Leaders (authorized representatives) of eleven political parties met in Vlašić at the invitation of the High Representative aimed at finding a solution for police restructuring arrangements in BiH in order to open negotiations on BiH’s Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU.

Bearing in mind that the police reform remains the last condition for accepting the Feasibility Study and starting negotiations on stabilization and association, the representatives of political parties discussed possible solutions for police restructuring on the basis of the Final Report of the PRC. In the capacity of party presidents, the participants agreed possible solutions which are in line with European principles as regards a part of the issues within the framework of the reform. 

In the light of the above said, as a result of a compromise, principles establishing a framework for political oversight, operational work and community oversight over policing structures of BiH have been defined as possible solutions (Annex 1). These principles also include the following annexes: 

a)      Positions of Local Police Assistant Directors (Annex 2);

b)      Police Board (Annex 3);

c)      Community oversight councils (Annex 4).

As regards the territorial disposition of police areas, the party representatives did not harmonise their positions, but they expressed their willingness for the final solution on the disposition of local police areas to be in line with the principles of the European Commission, which implies that local police will operate in functional areas based on technical criteria. 

With reference to aforesaid, a joint commission will be established consisting of representatives of RS, FBiH and the BiH CoM. An authorized CoM representative will request the Entity governments and political parties – participants to appoint their expert representatives to the commission by 3 May 2005 at the latest, on which date the commission will commence its work. 

The commission’s task is to prepare possible proposal for the disposition of local police areas to be submitted to the participants of the Vlasic negotiations and the CoM Chairman.

Political party representatives will present the proposals of the solutions laid out in Annexes 1,2,3 and 4 to the responsible party bodies in order to create conditions for the resumption of political negotiations on other reform issues and decision-making in the responsible institutions of the Entities and BiH.

The representatives of the political parties expressed their willingness to resume negotiations in the same composition on 11 May 2005 until they reach solutions including all aspects of the reform, when the solutions will assume their final shape.  In follow – up negotiations the party representatives agree to discuss other police reform issues and define a dynamic reform implementation plan including the implementation timeframe in accordance with European principles.

Recognizing the importance of the opening of SAA negotiations, all party leaders jointly sought compromise solutions serving as a basis for achieving this goal by 19 May 2005, when the EC CTF will asses the implementation of the Feasibility Study.