Security Council, Adopting Resolution 2183 (2014), Renews European Union-led Multinational Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 12 Months
The Security Council this afternoon renewed the authorization of the European Union-led multinational stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known as EUFOR ALTHEA, for a further 12 months.
Through the adoption of Chapter VII resolution 2183 (2014), by 14 in favour with 1 abstention (Russian Federation), the Council reminded the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina of their responsibilities under the General Framework Agreement for Peace in the country, noting that implementation was not complete.
Further to the text, the Council stressed that the continued willingness of the international community to assume the political, military and economic burden of implementation and reconstruction efforts would be determined by the active participation of all the authorities in the country in all agreed processes, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and its follow-up mechanism, towards strengthening joint institutions that foster “the building of a fully-functioning, self-sustaining State, able to integrate itself into the European structures and facilitating returns of refugees and displaced persons”.
Welcoming international assistance to the country following the unprecedented floods in May, the Council stressed the importance for authorities to heed the call of citizens to improve the social and economic situation.
Welcoming also the overall conduct of the 12 October elections, it took note of concerns expressed by the observation mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)and underlined the crucial importance of swift Government formation at all levels to address the multiple challenges ahead.
Following the vote, the representative of the Russian Federation said he was forced to abstain, as his comments in regard to language that supported the integration of the country into the Euro-Atlantic framework had not been taken into account. He maintained that the choice of whether or not to pursue a European future should be decided by the people themselves and not as part of the peace framework.
China’s representative concurred with that view despite his vote in favour of renewing EUFOR’s authorization; he said the diplomatic policies of the country should be decided by the citizenry. It was important for the Council to take into account all members’ views in drafting texts, he added.
The meeting began at 3 p.m. and ended at 3:07 p.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 2183 (2014) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions concerning the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and relevant statements of its President, including resolutions 1031 (1995) of 15 December 1995, 1088 (1996) of 12 December 1996, 1423 (2002) of 12 July 2002, 1491 (2003) of 11 July 2003, 1551 (2004) of 9 July 2004, 1575 (2004) of 22 November 2004, 1639 (2005) of 21 November 2005, 1722 (2006) of 21 November 2006, 1764 (2007) of 29 June 2007, 1785 (2007) of 21 November 2007, 1845 (2008) of 20 November 2008, 1869 (2009) of 25 March 2009, 1895 (2009) of 18 November 2009, 1948 (2010) of 18 November 2010, 2019 (2011) of 16 November 2011, 2074 (2012) of 14 November 2012 and 2123 (2013) of 12 November 2013,
“Reaffirming its commitment to the political settlement of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States there within their internationally recognized borders,
“Emphasizing its full support for the High Representative’s continued role in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
“Underlining its commitment to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the annexes thereto (collectively the Peace Agreement, S/1995/999, annex), as well as the relevant decisions of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC),
“Recalling all the agreements concerning the status of forces referred to in appendix B to annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, and reminding the parties of their obligation to continue to comply therewith,
“Further recalling the provisions of its resolution 1551 (2004) concerning the provisional application of the status of forces agreements contained in appendix B to annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement,
“Emphasizing its appreciation to the High Representative, the Commander and personnel of the multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA), the Senior Military Representative and personnel of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU) and the personnel of other international organizations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina for their contributions to the implementation of the Peace Agreement,
“Emphasizing that a comprehensive and coordinated return of refugees and displaced persons throughout the region continues to be crucial to lasting peace,
“Encouraging the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the international community, to accelerate their efforts to address the disposal of excess ammunition,
“Recalling the declarations of the Ministerial meetings of the Peace Implementation Conference,
“Recognizing that full implementation of the Peace Agreement is not yet complete, while paying tribute to the achievements of the authorities at State and entity level in Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the international community in the nineteen years since the signing of the Peace Agreement,
“Recognizing that the security environment has remained calm and stable, and noting that the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities have so far proven capable to deal with threats to the safe and secure environment,
“Emphasizing the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration on the basis of the Peace Agreement, while recognizing the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s transition to a functional, reform oriented, modern and democratic European country,
“Welcoming the steps taken by the international community to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in the ongoing reconstruction efforts following unprecedented floods that hit the country in May 2014 and stressing the importance for its authorities to address the calls by citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to improve the social and economic situation,
“Welcoming the overall orderly conduct and the competitive environment of the elections, which took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 October, while taking note of concerns expressed by the OSCE election observation mission, and underlining the crucial importance of swift government formation at all levels to address the multiple challenges ahead,
“Noting the reports of the High Representative, including his latest report of 31 October 2014,
“Determined to promote the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
“Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on 9 December 1994 and the statement of its President on 10 February 2000 (S/PRST/2000/4),
“Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,
“Welcoming the continued presence of EUFOR ALTHEA, successfully focusing on capacity-building and training while also retaining the capability to contribute to the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities’ deterrence capacity if the situation so requires,
“Welcoming also the EU’s readiness, as confirmed in the conclusions of EU Foreign Ministers on 20 October 2014, to continue at this stage an executive military role to support Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities to maintain the safe and secure environment, under a renewed UN mandate, and welcoming EU’s agreement to keep the operation under regular review, including on the basis of the situation on the ground, with a view to making progress on the conditions conducive to the delivery of its mandate,
“Recalling the letters between the European Union and NATO sent to the Security Council on 19 November 2004 on how those organizations will cooperate together in Bosnia and Herzegovina in which both organizations recognize that the EUFOR ALTHEA will have the main peace stabilization role under the military aspects of the Peace Agreement (S/2004/916; S/2004/915),
“Further recalling the confirmation by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its constituent entities, of the arrangements for EUFOR ALTHEA and the NATO Headquarters presence (S/2004/917),
“Welcoming the European Union’s reaffirmed determination to actively and intensively engage in support of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process and the continued engagement of NATO,
“Reiterating its calls on the competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take necessary steps to complete the 5+2 agenda, which remains necessary for OHR closure, as confirmed by the PIC Steering Board communiqués, and noting the continued lack of progress in that regard,
“Reiterating its calls on all Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to refrain from divisive rhetoric and make further concrete and tangible progress towards EU integration,
“Determining that the situation in the region continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,
“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
“1. Reaffirms once again its support for the Peace Agreement, as well as for the Dayton Paris Agreement on implementing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 10 November 1995 (S/1995/1021, annex) and calls upon the parties to comply strictly with their obligations under those Agreements;
“2. Reiterates that the primary responsibility for the further successful implementation of the Peace Agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves and that the continued willingness of the international community and major donors to assume the political, military and economic burden of implementation and reconstruction efforts will be determined by the compliance and active participation by all the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the Peace Agreement and rebuilding a civil society, in particular in full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in accordance with their respective obligations under resolution 827 (1993), resolution 955 (1994) and resolution 1966 (2010), in strengthening joint institutions, which foster the building of a fully functioning self-sustaining State, able to integrate itself into the European structures and in facilitating returns of refugees and displaced persons;
“3. Reminds the parties once again that, in accordance with the Peace Agreement, they have committed themselves to cooperate fully with all entities involved in the implementation of this peace settlement, as described in the Peace Agreement, or which are otherwise authorized by the Security Council, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, in accordance with their respective obligations under resolution 827 (1993), resolution 955 (1994) and resolution 1966 (2010), and recalls the obligation of States to cooperate with the Tribunal and Mechanism and in particular to comply without undue delay with requests for assistance;
“4. Emphasizes its full support for the role of the High Representative in monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement and giving guidance to and coordinating the activities of the civilian organizations and agencies involved in assisting the parties to implement the Peace Agreement, and reaffirms that under annex 10 of the Peace Agreement the High Representative is the final authority in theatre regarding the interpretation of civilian implementation of the Peace Agreement and that in case of dispute he may give his interpretation and make recommendations, and make binding decisions as he judges necessary on issues as elaborated by the Peace Implementation Council in Bonn on 9 and 10 December 1997;
“5. Expresses its support for the declarations of the Ministerial meetings of the Peace Implementation Conference;
“6. Reaffirms its intention to keep implementation of the Peace Agreement and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina under close review, taking into account the reports submitted pursuant to paragraphs 18 and 21 below, and any recommendations those reports might include, and its readiness to consider the imposition of measures if any party fails significantly to meet its obligations under the Peace Agreement;
“7. Recalls the support of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina for EUFOR ALTHEA and the continued NATO presence and their confirmation that both are the legal successors to SFOR for the fulfilment of their missions for the purposes of the Peace Agreement, its annexes and appendices and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and can take such actions as are required, including the use of force, to ensure compliance with annexes 1-A and 2 of the Peace Agreement and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions;
“8. Pays tribute to those Member States which participated in the multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA), and in the continued NATO presence, established in accordance with its resolution 1575 (2004) and extended with its resolutions 1639 (2005), 1722 (2006), 1785 (2007), 1845 (2008), 1895 (2009), 1948 (2010), 2019 (2011) 2074 (2012) and 2123 (2013) and welcomes their willingness to assist the Parties to the Peace Agreement by continuing to deploy a multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) and by maintaining a continued NATO presence;
“9. Welcomes the EU’s intention to maintain an EU military operation (EUFOR ALTHEA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina from November 2014;
“10. Authorizes the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the EU to establish for a further period of twelve months, starting from the date of the adoption of this resolution, a multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) as a legal successor to SFOR under unified command and control, which will fulfil its missions in relation to the implementation of annex 1-A and annex 2 of the Peace Agreement in cooperation with the NATO Headquarters presence in accordance with the arrangements agreed between NATO and the EU as communicated to the Security Council in their letters of 19 November 2004, which recognize that EUFOR ALTHEA will have the main peace stabilization role under the military aspects of the Peace Agreement;
“11. Welcomes the decision of NATO to continue to maintain a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the form of a NATO Headquarters in order to continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in conjunction with EUFOR ALTHEA and authorizes the Member States acting through or in cooperation with NATO to continue to maintain a NATO Headquarters as a legal successor to SFOR under unified command and control, which will fulfil its missions in relation to the implementation of annex 1-A and annex 2 of the Peace Agreement in cooperation with EUFOR ALTHEA in accordance with the arrangements agreed between NATO and the EU as communicated to the Security Council in their letters of 19 November 2004, which recognize that EUFOR ALTHEA will have the main peace stabilization role under the military aspects of the Peace Agreement;
“12. Reaffirms that the Peace Agreement and the provisions of its previous relevant resolutions shall apply to and in respect of both EUFOR ALTHEA and the NATO presence as they have applied to and in respect of SFOR and that therefore references in the Peace Agreement, in particular in annex 1-A and its appendices, and relevant resolutions to IFOR and/or SFOR, NATO and the NAC shall be read as applying, as appropriate, to the NATO presence, EUFOR ALTHEA, the European Union and the Political and Security Committee and Council of the European Union respectively;
“13. Expresses its intention to consider the terms of further authorization as necessary in the light of developments in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
“14. Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraphs 10 and 11 above to take all necessary measures to effect the implementation of and to ensure compliance with annexes 1-A and 2 of the Peace Agreement, stresses that the parties shall continue to be held equally responsible for the compliance with that annex and shall be equally subject to such enforcement action by EUFOR ALTHEA and the NATO presence as may be necessary to ensure implementation of those annexes and the protection of EUFOR ALTHEA and the NATO presence;
“15. Authorizes Member States to take all necessary measures, at the request of either EUFOR ALTHEA or the NATO Headquarters, in defence of the EUFOR ALTHEA or NATO presence respectively, and to assist both organizations in carrying out their missions, and recognizes the right of both EUFOR ALTHEA and the NATO presence to take all necessary measures to defend themselves from attack or threat of attack;
“16. Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraphs 10 and 11 above, in accordance with annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with the rules and procedures governing command and control of airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all civilian and military air traffic;
“17. Demands that the parties respect the security and freedom of movement of EUFOR ALTHEA, the NATO presence, and other international personnel;
“18. Requests the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the EU and the Member States acting through or in cooperation with NATO to report to the Council on the activity of EUFOR ALTHEA and NATO Headquarters presence respectively, through the appropriate channels and at least at six-monthly intervals;
“19. Invites all States, in particular those in the region, to continue to provide appropriate support and facilities, including transit facilities, for the Member States acting under paragraphs 10 and 11 above;
“20. Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to submit to the Council reports from the High Representative, in accordance with annex 10 of the Peace Agreement and the conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held in London on 4 and 5 December 1996 (S/1996/1012), and later Peace Implementation Conferences, on the implementation of the Peace Agreement and in particular on compliance by the parties with their commitments under that Agreement;
“21. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”