30 Years After the Dayton Agreement – FBA Supports Bosnia and Herzegovina on Its Path Towards the EU
On 14 December, it was 30 years since the Dayton Agreement was signed in Paris, bringing an end to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Three decades later, the country is still shaped by the political system that emerged from the peace agreement, while the war has left deep scars across society. The Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) works together with local partners to encourage reconciliation and support the reforms required for the country to move closer to EU membership.
A Peace Agreement With a Complex Legacy
The Dayton Agreement ended the war but also introduced a complex power-sharing model into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution. All three constituent peoples involved in the conflict must agree on key political decisions.
The model has helped preserve peace, but it also entrenches power along ethnic lines and makes it difficult to advance necessary reforms. Constitutional constraints, political deadlock, and a lack of trust between groups continue to hinder the country’s development.
A Country in Political Crisis
Throughout 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced a political crisis. One of the dominant nationalist parties, with close ties to Russia, announced its intention to secede—something that has caused concern both within the country and internationally. Following a repeat election in November, the situation has, for the moment, shifted back to political stagnation rather than open crisis.
– The political crisis the country has gone through is viewed by both Sweden and Europe as highly problematic. A stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina is a priority for Sweden and a prerequisite for the country to move closer to the EU, says Helena Lagerlöf, Sweden’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Peace and Reconciliation – The Path Towards EU Integration
For Bosnia and Herzegovina to take steps towards EU membership, a number of reforms are required. Reconciliation and dialogue between the country’s three dominant ethnic groups is one of the priority areas. FBA’s support within peace and security forms part of Sweden’s broader efforts to facilitate this process.
– Peacebuilding and reconciliation in countries that have experienced war is one of FBA’s areas of expertise. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, FBA has for several years worked to support local partners who in various ways promote reconciliation and dialogue between the country’s three dominant ethnic groups. The legacy of trauma from the war that ended 30 years ago remains and continues to complicate the country’s reform efforts, says Lejla Hastor, FBA’s Regional Desk Officer for the Western Balkans.
Through long-term partnerships, support to local actors, and a focus on peace, dialogue, and reconciliation, FBA aims to help Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen its democracy, address its difficult legacy, and take steps closer to the EU. Developments in the EU’s neighbourhood are of great importance to Sweden, as increased instability may have serious consequences for all of Europe. FBA’s contribution to peace and security in our region also helps safeguard peace and security in Sweden.