The High Representative of the international community in Bosnia, Christian Schmidt, warned in an interview for ‘The Pioneer’ about the political crisis in Bosnia, asking the European Union for help to prevent a “hot conflict”.

Schmidt’s statements came in light of efforts by the leadership of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, particularly Bosnian Presidency member Milorad Dodik, to withdraw the entity from state institutions and create its own, separate ones.

“Personal sanctions would be an option,” Schmidt, who is tasked with overseeing the civilian implementation of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement in the country, told ‘The Pioneer’.

He said he believes that it would be possible to achieve a unanimous decision on sanctions within the EU.

He also argued that financial aid in Bosnia should be subject to conditions.

“I recommend all international donors to do this, not just the EU,” he said.

Schmidt is expected to report on the situation in the Western Balkans in the European Committee of the German Bundestag on Wednesday.