Christian Schmidt is the High Representative who was regularly registered by the Office of the High Representative (OHR), German Embassy in Sarajevo briefly stated for N1 commenting on allegations by Bosnian Security Minister Nenad Nesic that Schmidt is “noting but a German citizen.”

Nesic, the Serb politician who performs the duty of the Security Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is among the Serb officials who do not recognise the German diplomat as the High Representative.

Ever since he was officially appointed by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB) in May 2021, Bosnian Serb leadership was united in the stance that Schmidt was not confirmed by the UN Security Council thus cannot be legitimate High Representative in BiH.

“We have a man in Bosnia and Herzegovina who calls himself a High Representative, which he is not. Christian Schmidt is illegally introducing himself as a high representative, and he is nothing but a citizen of Germany,” said Nesic.

He recalled that the UN Security Council never approved his appointment, however, all PIC member states as well as the UN openly expressed support to Schmidt.

Nesic also said that there is no document on Schmidt's appointment but only “a note.”

He went on to say that Schmidt's arrival was announced by the German Embassy, “which means he is their own representative and not of the UN, which means he is illegitimate and falsely representing himself.”

“Why was he approved the residence at the OHR premises and why is he using the resources of that institution is a question for them,” the minister said, adding:

“The Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies has informed the ministry that it is securing two OHR facilities in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, as well as the Residence in Sarajevo. The external security of the buildings is carried out without insight into the interior of the premises, because it is an extraterritorial area, and whoever stays inside the buildings is not a matter for the police agencies. Which means that our Agency (DKPT) does not provide security for Schmidt during his stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, nor does it provide him with a police escort, but according to the rules it should.”

Schmidt officially took office in August 2022.

The Office of the High Representative was established in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the end of the 1992-95 war to oversee the civilian implementation of the peace deal.