On Wednesday, at the session of the United Nations (UN)Security Council, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)will be discussed based on the report of High Representative Christian Schmidt, and the chairperson of the Presidency of BiH, Zeljka Cvijanovic, should also address the ambassadors.
At last year’s session of the UN Security Council on BiH, High Representative Christian Schmidt addressed the session despite fierce opposition from two permanent members – Russia and China.
Although the same is expected this time, as it was found outfrom diplomatic sources, certain lobbying is taking place in New York and there is even an option for Russia and China to give legitimacy to Christian Schmidt, as a high representative, but under certain conditions.
The condition, as it was found out, is that Schmidt will have the support of all members of the UN Security Council, including Russia and China, but that his mandate in BiH will last for another year. This would effectively mean that Moscow and Beijing would thereby announce the closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
In addition to this, Russia could condition its future support for the extension of the EUFOR mission in BiH.
Russia and China have long considered that BiH no longer needs the OHR and that the international community should withdraw from the process of making or imposing decisions for the internal affairs of the state of BiH.
To recall, in mid-July 2022, Russia and China proposed a resolution to the UN Security Council that would take away Bonn’s powers from the high representative in BiH. The resolution also stipulated that Christian Schmidt’s mandate be limited to July 31st, 2022 and, after that, the Office of the High Representative in BiH closes.
On July 22nd, 2021, the UN Security Council rejected the aforementioned resolution.
Russia and China voted for the resolution, and the other 13 members of the Security Council abstained, which meant that it did not receive enough support to enter into force.
We will see whether this proposal will see the light of day on Wednesday at the session in New York. If this option is not officially presented, it will mean that Schmidt continues his mandate, as before – with the opposition of Russia and China, Klix.ba reports.
