Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and what steps they will take to support the authority of the High Representative against challenge from (1) within Bosnia-Herzegovina, and (2) Russia.

The High Representative (HiRep) has the UK's full support, including for the use of executive powers should the situation require it. Christian Schmidt was legitimately appointed as HiRep in May by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB), of which the UK is a member. We reject attempts from Russia and from some within Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to undermine the HiRep and to close his office prematurely. These efforts undermine regional security and BiH's objective of Euro-Atlantic integration. The conditions for closure (the so-called 5+2) were set by the PIC SB and unfortunately have not yet been met. Along with international partners, we are ensuring the HiRep's position and work is secured, and we continue to urge Russia to return to productive engagement in the PIC SB.