The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding the information regarding the diplomatic status of the High Representative Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt in Bosnia and Herzegovina, informs from the available documentation that there are no ambiguities regarding the status of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina or his notification.
In the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the topic of the status of High Representative Christian Schmidt and the allegations presented at today’s press conference, it was stated that the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in a verbal note dated July 26, 2021, submitted information about the arrival of the new high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and members of his security, and in a verbal note requested that security members be issued with permits to bring and carry weapons on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina officially notified the arrival of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt on July 30, 2021 via the Ivanica border crossing,” the MFA of Bosnia and Herzegovina replied to Fena news agency’s inquiry.
It was stated that the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany by verbal note dated 29.07.2021. submitted the information that the new high representative will be secured by police officers from Germany and asked that the members of the security be issued with permits to bring and carry weapons on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH by its act of 27.07.2021. forwarded to the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies, the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Customs Office of Sarajevo Airport a verbal note from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany dated July 26, 2021. in which she requested permits to carry weapons for members of the security and assess the security situation, for their further action.
“On August 3, 2021, the Office of the High Representative addressed this ministry in a verbal note with a request to issue an identification card for Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt, and in the same attached a copy of his diplomatic passport in which the entry stamp was printed at the border crossing Ivanica”, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BiH.
They remind that the same procedure was carried out in the case of the High Representative for BiH, Valentin Inzko, when the announcement was made by the Embassy of the Republic of Austria, and the request for an Identification card and official notification was made by the Office of the High Representative for BiH.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina notes that Article 2, Paragraph (i) of the Rulebook on the conditions and manner of issuing special identification documents based on service in diplomatic and consular missions and representative offices of international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina says: “Notification means a notification through diplomatic channels about taking up or ceasing to perform duties duties of members of diplomatic and consular missions and representative offices of international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ”
While Article 3 of the aforementioned Rulebook says: “Diplomatic and consular representation and representation of international organizations in BiH should notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH of new members and their family members upon their arrival in BiH”.
Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Article 4 of the said Rulebook says: “Based on the notification from Article 3 of this Rulebook, the Ministry issues an appropriate identification card, which confirms the identity and status of its bearer in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961 year”.
They note that Article 7 of the aforementioned Rulebook states that an ID card of the MO type is issued to a foreigner, the head, deputy and staff of United Nations organizations and specialized institutions of the United Nations, and other international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina that have been granted the immunity of a diplomatic agent by international treaties that bind Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to their family members regardless of the type of passport.
“Therefore, the notification is not carried out by the United Nations, but in accordance with the provisions of Annex 10 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed on 14 December 1995 by the Office of the High Representative in BiH, which has the status of a diplomatic representation”, the MFA of BiH points out.
They add that it is clear from all of the above that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fully acted in accordance with the Law and its jurisdiction.
“That the security announcement was made by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, which confirmed in a verbal note that the new high representative will be secured by police officers from Germany and asked that the members of the security be issued with permits to bring and carry weapons on the territory of BiH. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwarded the request for issuing weapons licenses to the Ministry of Security, whose jurisdiction it is.
That the official notification was made by the Office of the High Representative for BiH (OHR) with its verbal note dated 07/29/2021. year, and by a verbal note dated August 3, 2021, ID card requested and issued.
Mr. Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt enjoys the status of diplomatic agent in accordance with the provisions of Anex 10 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH and in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961,” states the reaction of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fena reports.
