Kallas: EU supports the appointment of a new High Representative, which could happen as early as June

(Patria) - The EU's head of diplomacy commented briefly today ahead of an informal meeting of EU ministers for European affairs on the news of the resignation of the High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt, saying that it could complicate the functioning of the country.

"I think it actually can. That's why we discussed how to support the process. The new High Representative is appointed by the Peace Implementation Council, which should happen, I think, in June. That is a format that Europe supports," Kallas said.

She also touched upon the EU integration process of the Western Balkans.

"The Western Balkans represent a strategic priority for the EU, and this morning we met with our partners from the Western Balkans and discussed various topics. Ministers gave political consent to expand cooperation with Western Balkan partners in the areas of foreign policy, defense, and security. This specifically means more EU support against hybrid threats, disinformation, and a new security partnership with Montenegro, and greater use of the European Peace Facility to strengthen the security capacities of our partners," Kallas stated.

She expressed expectations for further reforms, respect for the rule of law, and clear alignment with the EU's foreign and security policy.

"The Western Balkans belong to the EU, and the steps agreed upon today are moving in that direction," she added.