OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Christian Schmidt concludes mandate as High Representative for BiH

(Patria) - After almost five years in the position of High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mandate based on Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Christian Schmidt has made a personal decision to conclude his service in the implementation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was officially announced by the OHR.

"He informed the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) of his decision and requested that the process of appointing his successor be initiated. He emphasized that he will continue to perform the duties of the High Representative during the process of electing his successor.

Reflecting on his mandate – the second longest mandate of any High Representative – he stressed that significant progress has been made in improving the functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions. However, it is clear that much more needs to be done for Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Although Christian Schmidt hoped that the end of his mandate as High Representative would coincide with the successful implementation of the "5+2" agenda and the closure of the OHR, Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet implemented key reforms, which is why the OHR's work remains of essential importance. He called on citizens and political leaders from both entities and all levels of government to further intensify their efforts and work with his successor on implementing these reforms and achieving key progress on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

His decisions have not been overturned by any court ruling. Schmidt emphasized that a united international community remains indispensable for the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its progress towards Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The economic and political stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the wider Western Balkans region, is of key importance for overall European security and economic prosperity. Therefore, the role of the OHR in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains important.

Christian Schmidt expressed his sincere gratitude to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from whom he received exceptional hospitality, warmth, and support during his mandate.

The period of his mandate was also marked by the development of domestic judicial institutions, with courts acting decisively to protect the constitutional and legal order of the state. Important steps have been taken to make domestic institutions more functional and to ensure the integrity of elections.

In the coming years, additional efforts will be needed to implement all decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina," it was announced.