The handover ceremony between the new High Representative Christian Schmidt and former Valentin Inzko took place today.
In front of the OHR building in Sarajevo, Inzko symbolically handed Schmidt a collection of all OHR acts.
After officially taking office, Schmidt said that he was coming as a friend of the people in B&H and that he wants to serve them. He said that the position of the High Representative is exceptional. He also reminded that this office exists precisely to ensure peace. He said that he would have an equal attitude towards the rights of every individual and every nation.
-It is not easy to reach an agreement on some issues. That is why I am here, to carry out peace on behalf of the international community and to help citizens, constituent peoples and others to achieve a balanced peace- Schmidt stressed.
He thanked Inzko for being the high representative of the international community for 12 years. Among other things, he thanked him for the latest decision - a legal ban on denying the genocide committed in Srebrenica.
He pointed out the goal of strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina as a reliable partner to other countries.
-Achieving that goal will not be a one-way street. Everyone who wants to join the European Union must abide by and guarantee the rules of that alliance. But it is not an easy task- the new High Representative stressed.
According to him, the progress of society is possible only through a reflective approach to one's own past. He cited his homeland Germany as an example.
Inzko said at the handover ceremony that the OHR continues the same policy after him, based on the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its return to the European family.
-Christian and I have worked closely together in recent months, which was some kind of preparation for this day. I am impressed by his knowledge- said the Austrian diplomat who is leaving B&H after 12 years in office.
In the evening, a reception is planned for the arrival of the new High Representative, at which Schmidt, former High Representative Valentin Inzko, State Secretary at the German Foreign Ministry Miguel Berger and B&H Presidency Chairman Željko Komšić will address the guests.
A meeting between High Representative Christian Schmidt and members of the B&H Presidency is scheduled for tomorrow, and his inaugural press conference for August 4.