Summary of the Report by Javier Solana, EU High
Representative for CFSP, on a Possible EU Deployment in
BiH
Presented to the EU Council of Foreign
Ministers
on 23 February 2004
INTRODUCTION
The European Council of 12 December 2003 confirmed the EU’s readiness for an
ESDP mission in Bosnia and Herzogovina including a military component.
NATO is currently considering the future of SFOR. In the event that it
should decide to end SFOR’s mission, the EU should be prepared to deploy a force
to BiH.
In providing a force for BiH the EU’s principal objective would be to
contribute to Bosnia’s aspiration to achieve full integration into
the EU and NATO.
An EU deployment would be part of a comprehensive approach bringing together
political, economic and security dimensions. This report focuses mainly on
the security element.
I. A NEW AND DISTINCT
MISSION
The completion of SFOR’s mission will leave BiH in a very different position
from that when NATO first deployed in 1995. The objectives, size and
composition of an EU force should reflect the new situation.
Such a mission should meet two fundamental objectives:
§ It should guarantee the
secure environment required for the core objectives in OHR's Mission
Implementation Plan and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and should
contribute directly to them.
§ It should have a particular
focus on the fight against organised crime.
II. A SECURE ENVIRONMENT
An EU force should be configured to assume the military responsibilities of
the Dayton Agreement and to contribute to the political objective of a stable,
democratic and prosperous BiH. This force would be the ultimate guarantor of the
High Representative's authority under Dayton. It should have full legal
authority (including that contained in Annex IA of the Dayton Agreement) to
assist in implementing the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
- An EU Force should be
credible and robust, acting under chapter VII of the UN Charter. It should
be able to address any threats to a secure and stable environment in BiH.
- Over time the composition
of the force would be adjusted. To be effective a force on this scale
would need good intelligence, flexible and integrated capabilities, and a call
on an over the horizon reserve.
III. A FOCUS ON ORGANISED CRIME
A major obstacle to further stabilisation in BiH is the nexus of organised
crime and political extremism. Establishing the rule of law and dealing
with organised criminal networks are the key to long-term stability in
BiH. The EU is already involved in these areas through the CARDS programme
and EUPM.
The eventual aim is a BiH that can tackle organised crime on its own.
Institutions to do this – the State Information and Protection Agency and the
Bosnian police forces are being built and strengthened; but many problems
remain. Until this work is complete, international reinforcement will be
needed.
IV. AN INTEGRATED EU APPROACH
One of the keys to achieving the EU's political objectives will be the
coherent use of the different EU capabilities in BiH. Coherence can best be
achieved by cooperation and leadership on the ground. At the centre of
this should be a reinforced co-ordinating role for the EUSR. He needs to
be able to function as primus inter pares among the heads of the
different EU missions in BiH. In particular the EUSR should ensure
complementarily between the implementation of the Dayton/Paris provisions and
progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process.
V. CLOSE COOPERATION WITH
NATO
The International Community has been effective in dealing with the problems
of the Balkans when it has acted together. It is vital for the success of
any EU operations in BiH that the EU should work in the closest possible
cooperation with NATO and with the United States. Both practical and
policy considerations point to an EU force taking advantage of NATO capabilities
through the Berlin Plus arrangements.
*
Lessons learned in Operation Concordia should be incorporated into planning
for an EU-led force and in the Berlin Plus arrangements.
VI. CONSULTATIONS WITH BIH AUTHORITIES
EU officials, together with NATO counterparts, have already made contact with
BiH authorities. Close EU/BiH consultation should
continue.
|
