98/117/CFSP: Joint Action of 2 February 1998 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union in support of the Bosnian Peace Process
Date: 1998-02-02
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU aid, financial aid, government, joint action, peacekeeping

9.2.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 35/1

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

JOINT ACTION

of 2 February 1998

adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union in support of
the Bosnian Peace Process

(98/117/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
particular Articles J.3 and J.11 thereof,

Having regard to the general guidelines contained in the
conclusions adopted by the European Council in Dublin
on 13 and 14 December 1996,

Whereas a new Government
Republika Srpska took office on 19 January 1998;

in the Entity of

the

Whereas the Union has contributed substantially to the
implementation of the Peace Process and now considers
that the formation of the new Government offers the
potential for substantial cooperation with the Republika
Srpska authorities;

Whereas in order to ensure the consistency of the Union’s
external
additional
activities European Community
measures in support of the new Government should also
be considered in the near future to go beyond this first
step,

Whereas the new Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has given
his commitment to cooperate fully on the implementation
of the Dayton/Paris Peace Agreement;

HAS APOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

the formation of

the first Government

Whereas
in
Republika Srpska committed to implementing the Peace
Agreement offers potential for major progress towards
sustainable peace and reconciliation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina;

community
Whereas assistance by the
remains
conditional on compliance with the Peace
Agreement and subsequent obligations as reaffirmed at the
Peace Implementation Council held in Bonn on 9 and 10
December 1997;

international

Whereas the European Union recognises that the new
Government needs the full support of the international
community in rapidly ensuring the effective functioning of
the Government through emergency financial assistance;

the Council on 26 January 1998 adopted
Whereas
conclusions whereby it was agreed that the Union should
develop its cooperation rapidly with the new Government
to help it begin to function effectively;

Whereas the High Representative has called for effective
and swift international assistance for the new Government
and has decided to establish a dedicated account for this
purpose;

Article 1

This joint action aims to provide, on an exceptional basis,
rapid short-term assistance to the new Government of the
Republika Srpska to help it bring stability in Republika
Srpska.

Article 2

1.
To this end, a maximum amount of ECU 6 million
shall be charged to the general budget of the European
Communities for 1998.

2.
The amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be
managed in accordance with the European Community
procedures and rules applicable to the budget.

3.
This amount shall be made available immediately to
the dedicated account, established and managed by the
High Representative to support the new Government to
enable it to begin to function effectively by contributing to
the temporary financing of public service salaries from
1 December 1997. The High Representative shall be made
responsible and accountable for disbursement of funds
from this account.

L 35/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9.2.98

Article 3

Article 4

The aim of
the Union assistance is to help the new
Government of
the Republika Srpska in its aim of
budgetary
a
establishing
coherent
framework, thereby providing a sound basis for possible
further assistance.

transparent

and

In particular, the Government of the Republika Srpska is
expected to:

— establish rapidly the 1998 budget

in a manner

satisfactory to the IMF,

— work closely with the Customs and Fiscal Assistance
Office (CAFAO) and other international organisations
on restoring control over the collection of customs
duties, excises and sales tax revenues,

The Council notes that the Commission in support of the
objectives of this joint action intends to come forward
with proposals where appropriate for project assistance in
support of the new Government.

Article 5

The Council invites the High Representative to encourage
wider international assistance in support of the objectives
of this joint action and will participate fully in these
efforts.

Article 6

This joint action shall enter into force on the day of its
adoption.

— implement the common Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)

customs tariff schedule,

Article 7

— submit to Parliament draft legislation on the reform of

excises and sales taxes.

The High Representative shall regularly report
to the
Council and the Commission on the operation and may
suspend assistance from the dedicated account in the event
of the Government of the Republika Srpska acting in a
way contrary to the objectives and criteria set out in this
joint action.

This joint action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 2 February 1998.

For the Council

The President

R. COOK