OHR's Statement at the International Agencies’ Joint Press Conference in Banja Luka

High Representative in London for Talks on OHR Future


The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, has just finished a meeting with Geoff Hoon, Britain’s Europe Minister. The High Representative and EU Special Representative is in London today for a series of high-level talks on the structure of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina after 30 June.


This afternoon, Mr Schwarz-Schilling will meet with the Foreign Office’s Political Director, John Sawyers, as well as with the Head of the Western Balkans Group, Michael Tatham.


“I want to present a realistic picture of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Mr Schwarz-Schilling. “PIC members must make a thorough assessment before deciding on the future of the OHR, and to do that they must have the best possible understanding of the situation on the ground.”


The High Representative and EU Special Representative is preparing the ground for a detailed assessment of the country’s progress and conditions in the wider region ahead of the Peace Implementation Council’s meeting on 26 and 27 February when the Council will make a final decision on whether to end the High Representative’s mandate and close his office.


During the meetings the High Representative and EU Special Representative will focus on the readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to take responsibility of their country’s future, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s perspectives for continued Euro-Atlantic integration through the Stabilisation and Association process – in particular the prospects for police restructuring and PBS reform – economic reform and government formation.


The High Representative and EU Special Representative is preparing his own assessment of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina together with a recommendation concerning the OHR’s future that he will send to PIC members in mid-February.

Europa.ba