OSCE, UNHCR, EC pledge support for refugee return in south-eastern Europe
Destroyed houses are an obstacle to refugee return. (OSCE) Photo details
SARAJEVO, 1 February 2005 - The principals of the European Commission (EC), the OSCE and the UNHCR in Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterated their support for the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro in their efforts to enable refugee return in the region, and thus fulfil their responsibilities to the Dayton Peace Accord, at a conference held in Sarajevo yesterday.
Participating in the Regional Ministerial Conference, hosted by BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, international community representatives were encouraged by the willingness of the three governments to openly discuss achievements and the outstanding challenges to conclusively tackle the remaining population displacement between these three countries.
"Even though we recognise the enormous progress that has been achieved over the past nine years in stabilizing population movements in the region, we must not forget that over 300,000 refugees are still seeking durable solutions in the region," said Udo Janz, the UNHCR Representative in BiH.
"It must be our common goal to tackle the outstanding obstacles for refugees to return to their original pre-war habitat in safety and in dignity," concluded Janz.
"The Declaration that was signed yesterday by the Ministers of the three countries is a step in the right direction," said Ambassador Douglas Davidson, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.
"It allows the three countries to come to a mutual agreement on how to resolve outstanding issues on refugee return."
The UNHCR, the EC and the OSCE underline the importance of proceeding with the implementation of the Declaration adopted yesterday, within the timeframe agreed, and look forward to continuing our involvement in this process.
Participating in the Regional Ministerial Conference, hosted by BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, international community representatives were encouraged by the willingness of the three governments to openly discuss achievements and the outstanding challenges to conclusively tackle the remaining population displacement between these three countries.
"Even though we recognise the enormous progress that has been achieved over the past nine years in stabilizing population movements in the region, we must not forget that over 300,000 refugees are still seeking durable solutions in the region," said Udo Janz, the UNHCR Representative in BiH.
"It must be our common goal to tackle the outstanding obstacles for refugees to return to their original pre-war habitat in safety and in dignity," concluded Janz.
"The Declaration that was signed yesterday by the Ministers of the three countries is a step in the right direction," said Ambassador Douglas Davidson, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.
"It allows the three countries to come to a mutual agreement on how to resolve outstanding issues on refugee return."
The UNHCR, the EC and the OSCE underline the importance of proceeding with the implementation of the Declaration adopted yesterday, within the timeframe agreed, and look forward to continuing our involvement in this process.