Kalabukhov: With Schmidt's departure, the time has come to close the OHR
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to BiH Igor Kalabukhov stated that with the departure of Christian Schmidt, the time has finally come to close the OHR, after which domestic actors should agree on priorities for the development of BiH.
TL;DR
- Ambassador Igor Kalabukhov believes Christian Schmidt's departure is an opportune moment to close the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
- He asserts that the OHR's continued existence undermines Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty.
- Kalabukhov questions whether worsening conditions in BiH are deliberately created to justify the OHR's prolonged presence.
- Russia never recognized Christian Schmidt as High Representative.
- The selection of a new High Representative should involve the Peace Implementation Council and the UN Security Council, with input from Republika Srpska.
- Domestic actors in BiH should now determine their own development priorities without external mandates.