Alkalaj: OHR's survival is not in question, but the US will have a greater say in the election of the new High Representative and their actions!

(Patria) - Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United States, Sven Alkalaj, stated today in Sarajevo that the US will have a more active role in the coming period regarding the work of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the process of electing a new High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Commenting on claims about the international community potentially entering a new phase of relations with BiH, including speculation that the future High Representative might have limited use of Bonn powers, Alkalaj said it is a process that has not yet been defined.

"The election of the new High Representative is still a fluid process. The survival of the OHR is not in question, and discussions about limited or unlimited Bonn powers are still ongoing," said Alkalaj.

He reminded that Bonn powers were not extensively used in previous mandates of High Representatives either.

"We saw from Valentin Inzko to Christian Schmidt that Bonn powers were not used in large quantities, so it will likely continue in that direction until the framework and responsibilities of the future High Representative are more clearly defined," Alkalaj stated.

Speaking about the role of the US, Alkalaj assessed that Washington will be much more actively involved in issues concerning the OHR and political processes in BiH.

"America will be much more active when it comes to the Office of the High Representative. Previously, the US held the position of deputy in the OHR, and now it will actively participate in the election of the High Representative himself," said Alkalaj.