Security Council extends EU Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another year

The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the European Union Stabilization Force (EUFOR) tasked with ensuring continued compliance with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The European Union has assumed responsibility for the peacekeeping operation since 2004 when it took over from the NATO-led stabilization force (SFOR).

As it unanimously adopted resolution 1785, the Council also authorized the continued presence of a NATO headquarters through which the bloc assists in the implementation of the Dayton Agreement in conjunction with EUFOR.

In addition, the 15-member body authorized Member States to take all measures to defend the EUFOR and NATO presence and to assist both organizations in carrying out their missions. It also recognized the right of both EUFOR and the NATO presence to defend themselves from attack or threat of attack.

Also by the text, the Council reiterated that “the primary responsibility for the further successful implementation of the Peace Agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves,” and underlined the need for their full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including the surrender for trial or apprehension of all persons indicted by the court.