Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that he expected the new High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, to work for the benefit of everyone and Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have equal status as the other two constituent peoples.

Answering reporters’ questions at the Fire Command Centre in Divulje near Split, Plenkovic said that Christian Schmidt was a very experienced and serious German politician who knew the situation in Southeast Europe very well.

“I think he is reasonable, he will look for compromise, be mindful of the equality of all three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and especially the rights of Croats as the smallest constituent people,” he said.

Schmidt took office as High Representative on Monday, announcing that he will advocate the preservation of peace, sovereignty and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the implementation of reforms that would enable the country to join the EU.

The official transfer of duties between Schmidt and Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko, who had served as the High Representative for the past 12 years, took place in the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo.

The conservative German politician, former agriculture minister in the Angela Merkel government and member of the ruling Christian Social Union (CSU), said he was deeply aware of the challenges lying ahead of him but also ready to address them.

“I assure all three constituent peoples that we will preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the equality and rights of everyone in the entire country and in all communities and institutions,” Schmidt said.