The signing of the Washington Agreement marked a significant milestone in the turbulent history of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s. Following the disintegration of Yugoslavia, ethnic tensions escalated into a complex conflict, with multiple factions vying for territorial control and national identity. The Bosniaks, who predominantly identified as Bosnian Muslims, and Croats, a significant ethnic group in the region, faced increasing hostilities primarily from Bosnian Serb forces. The international community, alarmed by the scale of violence and humanitarian crises, sought to mediate a resolution that would foster peace and quell further bloodshed.

The Agreement, signed in the United States' capital, was a response to the dire need for collaboration between the Bosniak and Croatian factions. Through this treaty, both groups aimed to create a cooperative entity — the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This wanted both parties to pool their resources and efforts against the common threat posed by the Serbian forces, thereby establishing a more cohesive front. Provisions within the agreement outlined political representation, military cooperation, and economic collaboration, initiating a framework for governance in the newly formed federation.

What made this agreement particularly interesting is how it represented a shift in alliances and a pragmatic approach amidst war. The Washington Agreement was crucial not just in providing a path toward ending hostilities but significantly laid the groundwork for subsequent peace negotiations, including the Dayton Accords, which ultimately led to the cessation of the Bosnian War. It established the precedent that rival ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina could collaborate effectively, albeit fraught with future tensions and challenges, within an overarching aim for peace.