Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ambassador to the United States Sven Alkalaj stated today in Sarajevo that the US will play a more active role in the work of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the process of selecting a new High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming period.
Commenting on allegations that the international community may enter a new phase of relations with BiH, including speculation that the future High Representative may have a more limited use of the Bonn powers, Alkalaj said that this is a process that has not yet been defined.
“The selection of the new High Representative is still a fluid process. The survival of the OHR is not in question, and discussions about limited or unlimited Bonn powers are still ongoing,” Alkalaj said.
He recalled that the Bonn powers were not used to a large extent in previous mandates of High Representatives.
“We have seen from Valentin Inzko to Christian Schmidt that the Bonn powers were not used to a large extent, so it will probably continue in that direction until the framework and responsibilities of the future High Representative are more clearly defined,” Alkalaj said.
Speaking about the role of the US, Alkalaj assessed that Washington will be much more actively involved in issues concerning the OHR and political processes in BiH.
“America will be much more active when it comes to the Office of the High Representative. Previously, the US had the position of deputy in the OHR, and now it will actively participate in the election of the High Representative himself,” said Alkalaj.
