Minister of Local Government and Labour Gunnar Berge

Implementation of Annex 7 of the Framework agreement for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Statement in connection with the High Level Working Meeting in Oslo 8. March 1996

Mr Assistant High Commissioner,

Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to Norway and to his High Level Working Meeting on implementation of Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement. The government of Norway is grateful and honoured that the High Commissioner accepted our invitation to convene this important meeting here in Oslo. As you know, today's meeting is a follow-up to the meeting of the Humanitarian Issues Working Group held in Geneva on 16 January.

The negotiations in Dayton which led to the signing of the Peace Agreement in Paris on 14 December last year, was no doubt an important step to bring an end to the tragic conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Time has now come to try to repair some of the evil results of war. Nearly 2 million persons were forced to leave their homes during the conflict. Some fled to other countries. Others were displaced, but remained within their country. I think we all agree that the best durable solution to any refugee problem is repatriation in safety and dignity and we are gathered here today in search of solutions to the very important task and assisting of thousands of Bosnians in returning home.

My Government fully supports UNHCR as the lead agency of a harmonized and multilateral approach to the organization of repatriation and return to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am convinced that the High Commissioner will meet this great and complex challenge with technical skill and political wisdom.

The purpose of today's meeting is to review the High Commissioner's plan of operations for the repatriation and return of people displaced by the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to continue consultations regarding temporary protection for the victims of the conflict.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I will not take more of your time. You have important tasks before you. Our expectations to the outcome of this meeting are high and I am convinced that by the end of today you have made vital steps further in bringing forward the very important process of assisting the victims of the tragic conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

I wish you a fruitful meeting and I thank you again for hounouring us with your presence here in Oslo.