The German government has expressed its support for High Representative Christian Schmidt’s efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), affirming that his appointment followed the appropriate legal protocols.

In early March, in response to a minor inquiry regarding the High Representative’s role in BiH, the German government clarified that Schmidt took office legally and replaced Valentin Inzko with a significant majority—202 out of 54 votes during the Steering Board session of the Peace Implementation Council in BiH (PIC) held in May, as reported by Sarajevo media.

Furthermore, the German government noted that the United Nations (UN) Security Council “does not hold a constitutive role in this matter.” The government of Republika Srpska challenges Schmidt’s legitimacy, asserting that his appointment lacks UN Security Council confirmation due to Russian opposition.

In its response, the German government emphasized that the High Representative “oversees compliance with the civilian elements of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which includes safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH.”

“The German Federal Government maintains regular communication with other PIC members and the High Representative. The functions of the High Representative are clearly defined by Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Federal Government endorses the High Representative’s work, as he operates independently and autonomously,” the statement continued.

The German government reiterated that the High Representative, nearly thirty years after the Dayton Agreement’s signing, is still a crucial element for stability in BiH and the broader region.

Additionally, the German government highlighted that the rule of law in BiH “continues to be a primary concern,” which it actively addresses through avenues like European Union membership, participation in the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in addition to various bilateral initiatives.

It also affirmed that investigations and judicial proceedings related to potential criminal activities are solely the responsibility of BiH’s judicial authorities, irrespective of the suspects’ ethnic or political affiliations, the German government stated.

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