Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the High Representative for Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina about his 60th report to the United Nations Secretary-General.

The UK is in close contact with the High Representative (HiRep), including about his report to the United Nations Secretary General. The HiRep's report paints a worrying picture of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We heed his warning that BiH is facing the greatest existential threat of its post-war period, and that there is a real prospect for further division and conflict. Along with our international partners, we are working to tackle the divisive rhetoric and actions from some politicians in BiH, including the threats to re-establish a Republika Srpska army and to pull out of other established state-level institutions. Such an approach puts at risk 26 years of hard-won progress, endangers the peace and stability of the country and the region, and undermines the Dayton Peace Agreement. Although the HiRep did not brief the Security Council this month, his report was circulated to Council members. We fully support his right to address the Council, and look forward to welcoming him to the Council in future meetings. We also look forward to engaging further with the HiRep when he visits London in December.