Ahead of the meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt spoke about the situation in BiH, saying there would be no war in the country and that EUFOR forces were not a cause for fear. He added that Milorad Dodik, a member of the Presidency of BiH, must stop blocking the state.

Schmidt said Nehammer's visit just a week after German Foreign Minister Annalene Baerbock was in BiH told him that the international community continues to care about BiH and keep an eye on it.

“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 fulfil its responsibility for this region, for the Western Balkans and for BiH, it will fulfil its duty and it will not be late,” Schmidt said.

Visoki predstavnik u BiH @OHR_BIH , Christian Schmidt: "Jaka podrška dejtonskim institucijama je i signal u vremenima u kojima se na granicama EU odvija rat. Međunarodna zajednica će izvršiti svoju dužnost za ovu regiju i neće zakasniti. U BiH nema akutne ratne opasnosti" pic.twitter.com/VIedNWQ76w

— TV N1 Sarajevo (@N1infoSA) March 18, 2022

“When people here ask me lately if they should be afraid because EUFOR troops are visible outside, I clearly say the exact opposite. You can consider yourself safe precisely because EUFOR is here. EUFOR soldiers are there to guarantee security and freedom to all people in BiH, and not to make people afraid, regardless of which entity they live in – the Federation of BiH or the Republika Srpska,” Schmidt pointed out.

He said that there is no war in BiH, but that 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 only for a five-minute meeting but when decisions start being made,” the High Representative noted.

Schmidt believes that everyone should discuss the path to Europe together.

“Let's talk about it, but also discuss the new Election Law, its changes 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 BiH 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 BiH. We expect that voters in BiH will make decisions and elect political representatives who will work. However, the country itself must move forward. BiH cannot be negotiated. People have the right to decide on their future together,” Schmidt said.