WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representative Mike Turner (R-OH), Head of the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, led companion bipartisan resolutions in the Senate and the House recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, which ended the Bosnian War and ushered in three decades of stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They were joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), as well as Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Wesley Bell (D-MO). The resolution commemorates the historic agreement reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio; honors the victims and survivors of the conflict, including victims of the Srebrenica genocide; and reaffirms the United States’ enduring support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, democratic development and Euro-Atlantic future.
“Thirty years ago, the United States helped broker a historic peace that ended one of the most brutal conflicts in Europe since World War II,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “The Dayton Peace Accords stopped genocide, safeguarded Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and set the country on a path toward stability, democratic reform and Euro-Atlantic integration. As Bosnia and Herzegovina deepens its NATO partnership and advances toward EU accession, this bipartisan resolution reaffirms that the United States remains committed to protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to supporting a peaceful, democratic future for all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
"As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we reaffirm our commitment to the peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Congressman Turner. "The resolution not only commemorates the historic agreement that ended the Bosnian War but also recognizes the continued efforts of the Bosnian people and government towards NATO and EU membership. Despite the daunting task of the negotiations and the war raging in Bosnia, there was a prevailing sense of optimism that peace could prevail. As the Mayor of Dayton during the negotiations at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, it was an incredible honor for my community to host such a consequential moment in history. Again, this past spring with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Dayton brought together leaders from the Balkan countries for peace. We must continue to support BiH’s journey towards a peaceful and democratic future."
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
Ranking Member Shaheen has long championed efforts to strengthen stability in the Western Balkans and advance Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integration. She recently joined Senator Wicker to introduce the bipartisan Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, which would codify sanctions against those who threaten regional peace and bolster economic, youth and cyber cooperation. Ahead of this anniversary, they also introduced the bipartisan Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act to honor the victims of the 1995 genocide and reaffirm U.S. support for a multi-ethnic, democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, Shaheen has consistently advocated for democratic reforms, supported NATO’s mission in the region and opposed malign Russian and Chinese influence. This bipartisan resolution continues that work by underscoring the United States’ commitment to a peaceful, democratic and Euro-Atlantic future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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