The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Christian
Schwarz-Schilling, is today in Moscow for a series of high-level meetings on the
structure of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina after 30
June.

As I speak, he is meeting with Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, political
director of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Later, he will be meeting with
Vladimir Titov, Deputy Foreign Minister.

This one-day visit to Russia is part of a series of visits to key capitals
ahead of the next meeting of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) scheduled
for 26 and 27 February. The goal of these visits is to develop a consolidated
position in advance of that meeting, at which a final decision will be taken on
the future of the Office of the High Representative.

As in other capitals, Mr Schwarz-Schilling will be focusing on the current
political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; impediments to the signing of a
Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union, that is police
restructuring and PBS reform in particular; economic reforms; and government
formation.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative started his
consultations with PIC members in advance of the February PIC in Berlin. He has
since held meetings in Paris, Brussels, Washington and London.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative is preparing his own
assessment and a recommendation for the OHR’s future that he will send to PIC
members in mid-February.