The end of November marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Accords, a landmark peace framework that brought the Bosnian War to an end. While there has been no relapse of armed conflict, the entire state is under increasing internal strain from dysfunctionality and the separatism of Republika Srpska, its Bosnian Serb entity. At the same time, due to geopolitical considerations, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been formally invited to start membership talks with the EU. However, at the moment, the chances for meaningful accession negotiations are slim.
This public panel discussion will reflect on the legacy of the Dayton Accords and assess the mounting state crisis in Bosnia, especially the developments since the early presidential elections in Republika Srpska on November 23. We will explore how this crisis could be managed and – given the receding role of the United States in European security and diplomatic crisis management – how much Brussels and Berlin are capable of leading and enforcing more state functionality, democracy, and economic development in BiH and the region more broadly. In this context, the panelists will also draw lessons from the Balkan experience of war and peace in the last 30 years for current efforts by Europe and the United States to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Opening Remarks:
Ambassador, Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman, Munich Security Conference, Head of German Delegation during the Dayton Peace negotiations
Speakers:
Jim O’Brien, Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, US Department of State (2023–2025); One of the Chief Drafters of the Dayton Accords
Sabina Stadler Repnik, Head of Strategic Studies and Analyses Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia
Adnan Cerimagic, Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans, European Stability Initiative
Christian Hellbach, Former German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014-2016); Advisor to High Representative Christian Schmidt, BiH
Moderator:
Milan Nic, Senior Fellow, Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, DGAP
The event will be held in English.
For any questions, please contact DGAP’s events department (events@dgap.org).