Ahead of the meeting with Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, spoke about the situation in Bosnia, saying there would be no war in the country and that the increase of EUFOR forces stationed there were no cause for concern. He added that Milorad Dodik, a member of the Presidency of BiH, should stop blocking the government.

Schmidt said Nehammer’s visit just a week after German Foreign Minister Annalene Baerbock was in Bosnia signals that the international community continues to care about Bosnia.

“Strong support for Dayton institutions is also a signal. At a time when international law is being violated on the border of the European Union and Nato, and Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is being waged in every sense, we believe in rules, in the importance and significance of human rights and international agreements. United, the international community will fulfill its responsibility for this region, for the Western Balkans and for Bosnia, it will fulfill its duty and it will not be late,” Schmidt said.

“When people here ask me if they should be concerned because EUFOR troops are increasingly present, I clearly say that it’s the exact opposite of that. You can consider yourself safe precisely because EUFOR is here. EUFOR soldiers are there to guarantee security and freedom to all people in Bosnia, not to cause fear, regardless of which entity they live in – the Federation of BiH or Republika Srpska,” Schmidt pointed out.

He said that although there is no war in Bosnia there is a severe political crisis.

“The essence of everything is the obligation of political representatives here to come and work, and Mr. Milorad Dodik should be told that the blockade should be lifted and that they will be lifted the moment he comes not just for a five-minute meeting but when decisions are being made,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt added that “everyone should discuss the path to Europe” together.

“Let’s talk about it, but also discuss the new Election Law, and changes to it, because that is one of the ways to go to Europe. However, it will not be just about influencing someone, inviting them to work. How things will develop in the future depends on the dialogue. You are aware of the fact that the United States and the European Union are talking about the conditions that must be met in order to continue to receive support.

In that sense, I would like to thank Austria for its support and cooperation with Bosnia in all the processes that are taking place here. That is why I am looking forward to the conversation I will have with the Chancellor of Austria, and I am sure that the international community will continue to remain a strong, but not a naive partner of Bosnia. We expect that voters in Bosnia will make decisions and elect political representatives who will work. However, the country itself must move forward… People have the right to decide on their future together,” Schmidt said.