UN welcomes joint declaration to resolve refugee situation from Balkans conflict

[News_Editor]

UN welcomes joint declaration to resolve refugee situation from Balkans conflict

2011-11-09 13:22:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) has welcomed a joint declaration by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia to expedite the search for solutions for the 74,000 remaining refugees from the Balkans conflict of the 1990s.

Adrian Edwards, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), described the signing as "a firm commitment" on the part of their respective governments to cooperate at regional and national levels in dealing with an enduring problem for that part of Europe.

The declaration, which allows refugees and returnees to fully enjoy their rights and resume normal lives, was signed by the ministers of foreign affairs of the four countries in Belgrade on Monday. The fulfillment of these commitments, the UNHCR said, will also support the accession of these countries to the European Union (EU).

The declaration further includes a regional program, which will be presented to donors at a conference early next year, to seek international support for housing solutions for refugees in collective centers and other vulnerable people, including former tenancy-rights holders.

Monday's ministerial meeting was attended by High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres who witnessed the signing of the declaration. Also present were the representatives of the EU, the United States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

"UNHCR believes the fulfillment of these commitments will also support the accession of these countries to the European Union," said Edwards. "We will remain engaged and strongly committed to supporting the governments of these four countries in closing this refugee displacement chapter."

The agency is also working with the national authorities on the development of asylum systems and practices that are in line with international and EU standards.

In the early 1990s, the former Yugoslavia experienced a violent breakup with more than two million people uprooted within and beyond the region. It was the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Over the past 16 years, the majority of the refugees have returned to their homes or have integrated in host communities.

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