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24 January 2007 - CEIS Policy Brief 01-2007

OHR: Results First, Exit Later


IIn its policy brief “OHR: Results First, Exit Later” - published on 24 January 2007 - the CEIS calls on the Peace Implementation Council, whose Steering Board met in Brussels on 26-27 February 2007 to reconsider the closure of the OHR, planned for June 2007. As recent events demonstrate, Bosnia still needs the OHR - but only an OHR that takes its core mandate seriously. The OHR needs to vigorously engage in the unfinished reform steps needed to pave the way for an association agreement with the EU.

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13 July 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 06-2006

How (Not) to End: The OHR's Last Days in Bosnia

In its sixth policy brief, the CEIS calls on the OHR to reconsider its work plan for the coming year and the handover to EUSR. Constitutional change and threats to Bosnia 's statehood will require the OHR's undivided attention during the coming difficult months, something the current plan does not envisage. Without resolute action on the part of the OHR during its last twelve months, the brief concludes, its very mission is in question.

4 May 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 05-2006

Overcoming the War in the Heads: Renewing Bosnia's Constitutional Debate

In this Policy Brief the CEIS calls on the international community to reengage in the process of constitutional reform in Bosnia and on the country's communities to abandon their wartime myths. A proper constituent assembly may be the best way out of the current impasse.

7 April 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 04-2006

Police and Intelligence Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Urgent Action Needed

"Police and Intelligence Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Urgent Action Needed" is CEIS second security brief that focuses on the necessity to guarantee the successful transformation of Bosnia's police and intelligence agencies. CEIS sees this as a precondition for the smooth transition of international oversight from the intrusive phase under OHR leadership to a facilitating and monitoring role that will begin with the inauguration of the EUSR as the international lead agency in the country.

3 March 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 03-2006

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ready for Visa Relaxation

The first monthly security brief by the CEIS calls on the EU to get serious about liberalizing its visa regime for the countries of the Western Balkans. Fears that Bosnia provides sanctuary to terrorism suspects -- who could then enter Western Europe once visas are easier to obtain -- are unfounded: the country is a steadfast ally in the fight against terror and is now reviewing the past naturalization of fighters of Middle Eastern origin.

26 January 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 02-2006
Agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina's last High Representative

The Center for European Integration Strategies (CEIS) has just published its "Agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina's last High Representative," a policy brief prepared by CEIS staff in Sarajevo for Christian Schwarz-Schilling, who will take over the office from Lord (Paddy) Ashdown on February 1. The brief calls on the incoming new High Representative to fully commit to his new position and take robust action where needed. Bosnia is facing a decisive year, with talks on a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU expected to conclude in the fall and a general election slated for October. The High Representative needs to ensure that self-sustaining structures of government are in place before his position is transformed into that of an EU Special Representative with fewer powers.

5 January 2006 - CEIS Policy Brief 01-2006

Austrian Presidency of the EU – Regional Approaches to the Balkans

CEIS Policy Brief 01-2006 - Policy brief based on the seminar organized in Vienna on 18 November 2005 by the Center for European Integration Strategies (Association Bosnia and Herzegovina 2005), the Center for the Study of Global Governance (London School of Economics and Political Science) and the Renner Institute (Vienna). Austria took over the six-month EU Presidency at a moment full of challenges. There exists a fairly widespread feeling among commentators as well as the wider public that the EU has lost direction, notably after the failure of its draft constitution and the difficult negotiations on the 2007-13 budget in the last days of the UK Presidency. Many doubt its capacity to refocus and to give Europe a new vision which would be citizen-centred.

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4 November 2005 - Conference report

Conference report presented by the Association Bosnia and Herzegovina

This report summarizes the proceedings of a major international conference on Bosnia held in Geneva on 20-21 October 2005 and presents some key findings on Bosnia "beyond Dayton," that is, moving away from immediate post-war recovery towards lasting peace, robust state-building, and European integration.

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11 October 2005 - Background paper

Background paper for the International Conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina

The background paper to the Geneva conference was drafted by CEIS staff in consultation with various stakeholders and presents the key questions that were subsequently discussed in Geneva. The paper guided the preparations for the conference and was formally launched at a hearing of the European Parliament in Brussels on 11 October 2005.