UN Security Council likely to extend EUFOR mandate, Russia and China dispute Schmidt and OHR

(Patria) - The United Nations Security Council (UN) could ask the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on the procedures and modalities for appointing high representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced on the UN website.

The text states that the issue of differing views on the role of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a key issue on which Security Council members disagree, noting that it will be on the agenda of the semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 31.

Also, the text states that neither China nor Russia recognize the authority of Christian Schmidt as High Representative and that both countries have called for the closure of the OHR, while Western members of the Council - including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States - oppose imposing a timeframe for the closure of the OHR.

One of the upcoming issues for the Security Council will be the renewal of the mandate of the EUFOR "Althea" mission, which expires on November 1.

The most likely option is an extension of the mandate for another year without any significant changes, the text adds.

The debate at the UN is scheduled for October 31 at 4:00 PM Central European Time.