The United States (US) has appointed former Western Balkans envoy Matthew Palmer to oversee Bosnia and Herzegovina’s problematic electoral reform program in a move that Washington says is a sign of its commitment to the region, Radio Free Europe reports.
Gabriel Escobar, who was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern and Central Europe earlier this month, told Radio Free Europe during an interview in Washington that Palmer would be “the main man in the United States on a hot topic.”
Escobar said electoral reform in BiH is one of the first steps needed to make the Western Balkans more functional as a state.
“I am very happy that Matt (Palmer) is staying around that part of the job because he has a lot of knowledge, contacts and a great vision for the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work,” Escobar said.
He also said that the elections must be “more transparent, more in line with the real will of the people”.
Escobar said the appointment of Palmer as the leading man in BiH’s elections is an important sign of commitment to the country.
