The Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council’s Steering Board (PIC SB) reiterate their firm and consistent support to the mandate of the High Representative Christian Schmidt and to the Office of the High Representative in overseeing the civilian implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP).
The Steering Board of the PIC decisively rejects any attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the OHR and the High Representative and reminds of its decision of 27 May 2021 to appoint Christian Schmidt as High Representative.[1] The Steering Board of the PIC also recalls that on 14 July 2023, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed in a letter to Ms. Željka Cvijanović, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the Steering Board of the PIC is the relevant body for the appointment of the High Representative.
Any attempt to restrict the ability of the High Representative to execute his mandate under Annex 10 of the GFAP on the entire territory of the country is an act of non-compliance with the GFAP. The High Representative will continue to fulfill his mandate throughout the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The PIC SB urges RS President Dodik to immediately stop his policy of non-recognition of and non-cooperation with the High Representative which is detrimental to the interests of the RS.
The PIC-SBA calls on all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work consistently towards the European perspective of the country and to spare no efforts on the reforms necessary for BiH to advance on its Euro-Atlantic path, instead of fueling unnecessary tensions.
The PIC SB also reiterates that the International Community is fully committed and retains the necessary instruments to uphold the GFAP, including the territorial integrity of BiH.
[1] https://www.ohr.int/statement-by-the-peace-implementation-council-steering-board-concerning-the-appointment-of-christian-schmidt-as-the-next-high-representative/