The High Representative of the international community in Bosnia, Christian Schmidt, as well as EU Special Representative, Johann Sattler, welcomed the Wednesday appointment of the last missing judge to the Constitutional Court of BiH’s Federation (FBiH) entity.

“Having a fully functioning FBiH Constitutional Court in its full composition, enabling the Court now to elect all missing judges to its Vital Interest Panel, after years of delays and political blockades, is an important element in restoring the rule of law and functional institutions in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said a statement by the Office of the High Representative (OHR), the official tasked with overseeing the civilian implementation of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement.

Having a fully functioning FBiH Constitutional Court in its full composition, after years of delays and political blockades, is an important element in restoring the rule of law and functional institutions in the FBiH. Read the full PR: https://t.co/THOrvzX9lp

— OHR BiH (@OHR_BiH) November 2, 2022

It noted that Schmidt called the appointment “an important step in the implementation of the functionality package which he had adopted on 2 October.”

“The High Representative commends today’s completion of the appointment process for the FBiH Constitutional Court, thereby securing the uninterrupted work of this key institution for upholding the FBiH Constitution and preventing further blockades. The High Representative wishes to congratulate all the newly appointed judges of the FBiH Constitutional Court,” the statement said.

“The High Representative now expects legislative and executive authorities to be formed swiftly and in line with the will of the voters expressed on Election Day. There can be no further delays or political games holding the FBiH hostage, added the High Representative,” it said.

EU Delegation Head, Johann Sattler, also welcomed the appointment but said he also expects the swift appointment of the Vital National Interest panel in order to fully restore the functionality of the FBiH Constitutional Court.

“Good news re-appointment of final missing judge on the FBiH Constitutional Court. Counting on swift appointment now of the VNI panel restoring full functionality of the FBiH Constitutional Court. EU stands with BiH in strengthening rule of law & improving the functionality of judiciary,” he tweeted.

Good news re appointment of final missing judge on the FBiH Constitutional Court. Counting on swift appointment now of the VNI panel restoring full functionality of the FBiH CC.

🇪🇺 stands with 🇧🇦 in strengthening rule of law & improving functionality of judiciary.

— Johann Sattler (@josattler) November 2, 2022