MVP BiH: There are no ambiguities regarding the status of the High Representative

(Patria) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding information concerning the diplomatic status of High Representative Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt in Bosnia and Herzegovina, informs from the available documentation that there are no ambiguities regarding the status of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina or his notification.

In the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH to the topic of High Representative Christian Schmidt's status and the claims made at today's press conference, it was stated that the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, by verbal note of 26.07.2021, provided information about the arrival of the new High Representative for BiH and members of his security detail, and in the verbal note requested that permits for the import and carrying of weapons on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina be issued to the security detail members.

"The Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, by verbal note of 29.07.2021, officially notified the arrival of the High Representative for BiH Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt on 30.07.2021, via the Ivanica border crossing," the MFA BiH responded to Fena's inquiry.

It was stated that the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, by verbal note of 29.07.2021, provided information that the new High Representative will be secured by police officers from Germany and requested that permits for the import and carrying of weapons on the territory of BiH be issued to the security detail members.

It is noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, by its act of 27.07.2021, forwarded the verbal note of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany of 26.07.2021, requesting permits for carrying weapons for security personnel and an assessment of the security situation, to the Ministry of Security of BiH - Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, the BiH Border Police, and the Customs Post at Sarajevo Airport, for their further action.

"The Office of the High Representative, by verbal note of 03.08.2021, addressed this ministry with a request for the issuance of an identification card for Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt, and attached a copy of his diplomatic passport with an entry stamp from the Ivanica border crossing," the MFA BiH stated.

They recall that the same procedure was followed in the case of the High Representative for BiH, Valentin Inzko, when the announcement was made by the Embassy of the Republic of Austria, and the request for an identification card and official notification was made by the Office of the High Representative for BiH.

The MFA BiH notes that Article 2, Paragraph (i) of the Rulebook on the conditions and manner of issuing special identification documents based on service in diplomatic and consular missions and missions of international organizations in BiH states: “Notification means informing by diplomatic means about the commencement or termination of duties of members of diplomatic and consular missions and missions of international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

While Article 3 of the aforementioned Rulebook states: “Diplomatic and consular missions and missions of international organizations in BiH should notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH of new members and their family members upon their arrival in BiH.”

Furthermore, the MFA BiH states, Article 4 of the aforementioned Rulebook states: “Based on the notification from Article 3 of this Rulebook, the Ministry issues an appropriate identification card, which confirms the identity and status of its holder in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.”

They note that Article 7 of the aforementioned Rulebook states that an MO-type identification card is issued to a foreigner, the head, deputy, and staff of United Nations organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations, and other international organizations in BiH to whom diplomatic agent immunity is granted by international treaties binding BiH, and their family members regardless of the type of passport.

"Therefore, the notification is not made by the United Nations, but in accordance with the provisions of Annex 10 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed on 14.12.1995, by the Office of the High Representative in BiH, which has the status of a diplomatic mission," the MFA BiH emphasizes.

They add that from all of the above, it is clear that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acted entirely in accordance with the Law and its jurisdiction.

"That the announcement of the security detail was made by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, which confirmed in a verbal note that the new High Representative would be secured by police officers from Germany and requested that permits for the import and carrying of weapons on the territory of BiH be issued to the security detail members. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwarded the request for weapon permits to the Ministry of Security, which is also its jurisdiction.

That the official notification was made by the Office of the High Representative for BiH (OHR) with its verbal note of 29.07.2021, and by verbal note of 03.08.2021, an ID card was requested and issued.

Mr. Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt enjoys the status of a diplomatic agent in accordance with the provisions of Annex 10 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH and in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961," the MFA BiH reaction states.