30.09.1996 OHR Sarajevo

Statement by the High Representative congratulating the members of the new Presidency of BiH on their first and historic session

STATEMENT

by the High Representative, Carl Bildt

30 September 1996

It is a good sign for the future that the new Presidency could meet in Sarajevo less than 24 hours after the election results had been certified yesterday. I warmly congratulate the members of the new Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their first and historic session today.

The new Presidency has now assumed all its responsibilities under the Constitution. Among them is the conduct of the foreign policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is important that the Presidency proceeds with its work to propose the Chair of the Council of Ministers. The aim should be to complete this before the end of October.

In close co-operation with all the countries of the Steering Board and the Contact Group, my office will continue to give all the help necessary in order to set up the new common institutions of the country. We expect the inauguration ceremony also for the elected members of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly to take place in the National Theatre in Sarajevo within the next ten days.