The appointment of Christian Schmidt as the new High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina confirms the commitment of the international community, especially Germany, to the permanent progress of BiH and its accession to the European family, Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic said on Tuesday as she congratulated the German envoy on the appointment.

She welcomed the decision of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), the body that oversees the implementation of the peace process in BiH, to appoint Schmidt, adding that this will hopefully contribute to the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and help the country to meet the conditions on its European path.

“I am convinced that your diplomatic experience, commitment and goodwill as well as the international support that you enjoy, can bring the necessary energy and help to the efforts of BiH political forces that uncompromisingly, unambiguously, and continuously fight and work on meeting all conditions for a permanent stabilisation and full implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, economic progress, and progress towards the EU membership,” said the FM's message.

The ambassadors of the PIC Steering Board formally appointed Schmidt on May 27 and he will assume his duties as the head of the Office of the High Representative as of August 1 this year. Schmidt will replace Austrian diplomat valentin Inzko.