PIC Steering Board again fails to agree on new BiH High Representative

SARAJEVO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) again failed to reach agreement on the appointment of a new High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) at a meeting on Tuesday, according to local media reports.

The outcome followed a previous deadlock on June 30, when PIC members also failed to reach consensus. At that time, Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi and French diplomat Rene Troccaz were considered as potential candidates, but neither secured the required support.

Following that meeting, the PIC appointed then Principal Deputy High Representative Louis J. Crishock, an American diplomat, as acting High Representative, while July 14 was set as the target date for reaching agreement on a permanent appointment.

The Delegation of the European Union to BiH previously told local media that Crishock's appointment was intended as a temporary arrangement and should not become permanent, expressing the expectation that PIC members would eventually agree on a European candidate.

Former High Representative Christian Schmidt announced his resignation on May 11, 2026, saying pressure from the United States had prompted his decision to step down early.

The position of High Representative for BiH was established under the 1995 Dayton Agreement. Its primary responsibility is to oversee Bosnia and Herzegovina's implementation of the peace agreement. Enditem