Former High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and former Spanish Foreign Minister Carlos Westendorp passed away today at the age of 89.
Westendorp left behind a long political and diplomatic career marked by his role in building Europe and his prominence in the Balkans after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
One of the biggest turning points in his career came after his term in the Government of Spain, when he assumed the position of High Representative of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1997 to 1999, overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
In that role, Westendorp played a crucial part in the institutional reconstruction of the country following the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoting key decisions for the stabilization of the political and administrative system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At that time, Westendorp prevented the dismissal of the then Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, who acted politically in the interest of the West.
Carlos Westendorp warned the entity president, Nikola Poplašen that he would be dismissed if he attempted to remove Dodik from the position of Prime Minister. After Poplašen tried to do so, the High Representative dismissed him, accusing him of undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement. Poplašen accused Westendorp of unconstitutional activities, while Dodik stated:
“The High Representative has the right to make such a decision, which was granted to him by the Dayton Peace Agreement that contains a clause placing him above the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the constitution of the entity. Westendorp did not disqualify Poplašen, but Poplašen disqualified himself in the past five months by exercising his function in his own particular way. He was a threat to the democratic development of Republika Srpska, and in that regard, he caused a lot of damage. It is a good thing he left.”
His leadership during this period strengthened his international reputation as a diplomat and mediator in a context of high political complexity.
What particularly connects Westendorp to Bosnia and Herzegovina is the current flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the beginning of 1998, he rejected all previous proposals and made several neutral suggestions, around which the Members of the Parliamentary Assembly failed to secure the required majority.
After that, on February 3, 1998, Westendorp decided to impose the Law on the Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proclaiming the current flag, which is used throughout the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Linked to the most pro-European wing of Spanish socialism, Westendorp played a key role in Spain’s international presence during the 1980s and 1990s, as well as in consolidating the country’s role within the European institutions.
Westendorp was Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1995 and 1996 in the government of Felipe González, during a period that marked the intensification of the European agenda and Spain’s active participation in international politics.
His technical, negotiation, and deeply European profile placed him among the most influential voices in the Europeanintegration processes, where he had previously held relevant positions in Spain. His mix of political experience and strong diplomatic skills made him one of the most prominent figures in Spanish diplomacy, Klix.ba writes
