US diplomat Luis Krišok appointed acting high representative in BiH

American diplomat Luis Krišok has officially taken over as the acting high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Krišok, who previously served as the first deputy high representative and supervisor for Brčko, assumes the role following the departure of Christian Schmidt.

Krišok expressed his honor at the trust placed in him by the Peace Implementation Council's Steering Board. He pledged to conduct his mandate in accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace and the powers vested in the high representative. Krišok emphasized that the Office of the High Representative's strategic direction will remain unchanged, with a continued focus on preserving the country's stability and supporting its institutions.

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I am honored by the trust placed in me by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council. I will carry out this mandate in accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace and the powers vested in the high representative.

"We continue to focus on maintaining peace and stability, providing support to BiH institutions, and ensuring full respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH," Krišok stated after assuming his duties, as announced by the OHR on the social media platform X.

The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council appointed Krišok as acting high representative until a new permanent appointee is selected. They expressed hope for an agreement on a new high representative as soon as possible, aiming for an appointment by July 14. Earlier reports indicated disagreements among international powers regarding the preferred candidate, with the U.S. supporting Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi and EU members favoring French diplomat Rene Trokaz.

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We continue to focus on maintaining peace and stability, providing support to BiH institutions, and ensuring full respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH.