The German government supports the candidacy of Christian Schmidt for High Representative and a decision on that could be made at one of the next meetings of the Peace Implementation Council, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, former High Representative in B&H, told for „Dnevni avaz“.

A decision will be made soon

- I know Schmidt very well. We are friends. I have been informed that there is a possibility that he will be the new High Representative. I told everyone who asked me - I would like it to happen and for now it is a serious initiative - says Schilling.

The German government has confirmed earlier that it has launched this initiative.

Schilling tells for our paper that he talked about the whole story with Chancellor Angela Merkel's office. According to unofficial information, Schilling acts as an informal adviser to Merkel for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Yes, the chancellor's office should be asked about the details, but we talked and I think that a decision can be made soon. It is not bad, I must say that it is time for certain changes - said Schilling.

As he points out, if Schmidt is going to be appointed as the new High Representative, German politician will aim to initiate the resolution of key remaining issues in B&H.

- He will certainly have the support of Merkel and the German government, but also other countries. He is a new face and it is very important that the current High Representative Valentin Inzko is cooperative. Inzko is aware that he could not do much because he did not have the support of the international community. In the case of the new High Representative, that could change, he added.

Very realistic

Asked whether the German High Representative would be supported by the new U.S. administration, Schilling said Biden knows the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina very well and that he is very realistic.

- I do not see any problem in Biden supporting a new beginning for B&H, but that is just my opinion - he added.

The best assessment of the situation in B&H

In 1993, the new U.S. President Joe Biden made the best assessment of what is happening in B&H that I have ever seen, says Schilling.

- He spent a month in Europe then, I think, and studied the situation. He gave his suggestions which at the time did not get support or there was no will to implement them, but it is still the best thing I have ever seen. I called German Minister Kinkel then and told him about it - he added.