Verklaring Rehn bij herdenking Dayton-overeenkomst 1995 (en)
"Ten years ago, on 21 November 1995 the Dayton Peace Accords brought the end to a war which left many dead and over two million people homeless. The Dayton Agreement ended three years of fighting in Bosnia, thus stopping the worst war in Europe since the II World War.
During this decade Bosnia and Herzegovina has gone a long way in building a truly multiethnic democracy. Today, the prospect of hostilities is remote. Over a million of refugees and displaced persons have returned to their homes. The physical infrastructure has largely been reconstructed in the country. On the day of the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement I would like to congratulate the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for these important achievements.
Ten years on Bosnia and Herzegovina has to look towards the future: the country can now move from peace building to state building.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a clear European perspective. This perspective will be even more tangible when negotiations start on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. This agreement provides new opportunities for all citizens of the country. In terms of trade and economic developments but also in more cooperation in various policy areas, such as, tackling organised crime and trafficking across borders, as well as to improve environmental standards.
The reforms in the country must continue, to further improve the citizen rights and economic opportunities of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They also help to meet the conditions of approaching the EU. Clear conditionality is the basis of the EU's soft power of transformation that turns potential candidates to ripe member states over the years."
EU Financial Assistance for Bosnia and Herzegovina:
From 1995 until 2006, EU assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina (excluding macro-financial assistance) amounts to over € 1.400 million.
For more info:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/bosnia_herzegovina/index.htm