U.S. and European diplomats fail to agree on Bosnia high representative

Diplomats from the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Italy, the EU, Canada, Japan and Turkey met in Sarajevo on Tuesday but did not agree on a new high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Peace Implementation Council steering board stated it remains committed to completing the appointment by 14 July 2026.

The current officeholder, Christian Schmidt, will step down immediately and his American deputy will serve as acting high representative for two weeks.

Background on the post The high representative position was created after the 1992-95 war to oversee the Dayton peace agreement. The office holds authority to issue binding decisions on Bosnian institutions. Schmidt had previously annulled actions by Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik. The U.S. later lifted sanctions on Dodik that had been imposed during the previous administration.

Competing candidates and pipeline interests The U.S. has proposed Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi for the role. European members have backed French Balkans envoy René Troccaz, with Germany suggesting Danish diplomat Peter Sørensen as a compromise.

The disagreement coincides with a $1 billion gas pipeline project awarded without tender to AAFS Infrastructure and Energy. The pipeline route crosses territory in Republika Srpska.

“This was involuntary. This was not Schmidt leaving of his own accord.”