The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, wrote to Nikola Spiric today congratulating him on his election to the post of Chair of the Council of Ministers.

“You are assuming responsibility at a crucial time for this country,” Mr Schwarz-Schilling wrote in his letter. “You will be in a key position to ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina is able to meet fully the requirements of Euro-Atlantic integration and fulfil all international obligations.”

The High Representative and EU Special Representative stressed the importance of completing government formation so that “the Council of Ministers to return to the reform agenda and address the fundamental commitments laid out in the government programme”.

“The commitments to progress that you have made and the ambitious goals set out by the coalition government are a good start,” Mr Schwarz-Schilling wrote. “But there is a lot of work ahead to implement them, and in particular to ensure that the conditions are met to sign the SAA as early as possible.”

The High Representative and EU Special Representative concluded his letter by saying that he looked forward to working with Mr Spiric and by offering him the support of his office.