Key facts
- The EU is determined to find a successor for the international peace envoy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The previous envoy resigned in May under U.S. pressure.
- The U.S. and European countries have differing preferred candidates for the role.
- Louis Crishock is serving as acting high representative until a new envoy is appointed.
- Bosnia risks losing significant EU funding due to stalled reforms.
The European Union is actively seeking a new international peace envoy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas emphasizing the bloc's determination to find a suitable candidate. The position has been vacant since May when the previous envoy, Christian Schmidt, resigned, citing U.S. pressure. Last month, member states failed to agree on a successor, highlighting a divergence in preferences between the U.S. and European countries. The U.S. backs Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi, while most European nations support French diplomat Rene Troccaz. The U.S. has warned it may reconsider its role in Bosnia if its preferred candidate is not appointed. Louis Crishock has been named acting high representative until a new envoy is chosen, ideally by July 14. Kallas also stressed the importance of Bosnia implementing sustained reforms to advance its EU accession process, noting that the country has already lost €108 million in EU funding and faces the risk of losing an additional €370 million if reforms remain stalled. She warned that the window of opportunity for accession may not remain open indefinitely.