The Importance of Implementing the Agreement on Succession of the Archival Records of the Former Yugoslavia for Archival and Other Scientific Research in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Purpose: The dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), a complex federal state, occurred under challenging political and wartime conditions in the final decade of the 20th century. The process of succession extended to all areas, including state and other archival records, and was marked by misunderstandings and obstructions that affected the archival profession. Methodology: This paper analyzes the legal and practical framework for archival succession established through the Agreement on Succession Issues (2001), particularly Annex D regulating archival matters. The study is based on a review of international agreements, national implementation measures, and available documentation from the successor states, with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: The Agreement's ratification by all successor states intensified implementation efforts. However, progress has been uneven and incomplete, with the overall process still far from realization three decades later. Transparency in the implementation process remains limited, and Bosnia and Herzegovina faces particular challenges in accessing and managing relevant archival records. Discussion: The paper highlights obstacles to fully implementing the Agreement, including political complexities and lack of coordinated international oversight. It emphasizes the importance of archives subject to succession for both archival practice and scientific research, underlining the need for improved cooperation and greater transparency among successor states.