Hungarian President Ader and British Special Envoy Peach at BiH Presidency

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The BiH Presidency will receive the President of Hungary, János Áder, today. The meeting is scheduled for 3 PM.

At 4:30 PM, members of the BiH Presidency will receive the special envoy of the Prime Minister of Great Britain for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach.

The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson, appointed a special envoy for the Western Balkans at the beginning of December, as part of the UK's continued commitment to stability and prosperity in the region.

Sir Stuart Peach will take on this role after retiring earlier this year from his position as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, a role he held since 2018. He also previously served as Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom.

As the Prime Minister's special envoy, Sir Stuart will work with Western Balkan leaders and others across the region, as well as with allies in the US and Europe, to support and strengthen regional stability. His work will also include promoting strong democratic institutions and open societies, helping to tackle serious and organized crime and other common security challenges, and encouraging the resolution of legacy issues such as war crimes and missing persons. In this regard, the United Kingdom will also continue to lead efforts to advance gender equality and implement the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sir Stuart's activities will support the work of the High Representative of the International Community, Christian Schmidt, who continues to have the full support of the United Kingdom. Regarding Serbia and Kosovo, he will work with our partners to support the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, mediated by the European Union.

The High Representative warned that Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently facing the greatest existential threat of its post-war period and that there is a real possibility of further division and conflict. Together with international partners, the United Kingdom is working to address all threats to stability in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, which has fostered hard-won progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past 26 years. The United Kingdom is also helping to address other regional challenges, including supporting the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo and combating organized criminal groups. The United Kingdom will play an important role, working closely with the governments of the region and its international partners.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the United Kingdom is deeply committed to European security.

"The Western Balkans faces the greatest threat to its stability and security in two decades. We have a duty to do everything we can to preserve the progress made through peace and dialogue – we must not allow any return to the violence and divisions of the past. Sir Stuart's extensive experience and expertise will strengthen international efforts to protect peace and promote Euro-Atlantic integration in this crucial region."