"According to the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court, the state should pass the Law on State Property. It is not about the property belonging only to the state, I think there is a lot of misunderstanding on that issue. If we say that property defines the boundaries of entities, state borders, or districts, that is wrong," High Representative Christian Schmidt told N1.

When asked if he would impose the Law on State Property, Schmidt said he never said he would not.

“Some have expectations, wishes or fears, but local authorities should decide on this with the help of the international community. To be very clear, we all need to show commitment, to Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia. We are the only country in the former Yugoslavia that has not resolved this issue. Let's sit together and work and show new optimism,” he said.

The international community envoy was asked if his solution advocates for the state to remain the owner of the property, or if is there still space for something to belong to the entities.

“According to the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court, the state should pass a law on this matter. It's not about the property belonging only to the state, I think there is a lot of misunderstanding on that issue. If we say that property defines the boundaries of entities, states, districts, that is wrong. If the building we are sitting in is private property, it does not mean that the Sarajevo Canton ends at the door of this building. I want us to help with this and figure out what it's all about. There’s a golden opportunity to resolve the issue now, to take some property and use it for public services, to invest some funds and return it to the people for use. Some in BiH think that all that we do doesn’t belong to the people, but state property is the property of the people. We have to find a way to manage it and dispose of what can be earned from it. I would suggest some ideas, but I would not implement them,” Schmidt noted.

The envoy in charge of overseeing the implementation of the civilian aspect of the Dayton Peace Agreement was then pressed to say if the state would remain the owner of the property.

“We have to be careful. We’re going into legal explanations about different possibilities and types. You’re right, we must distinguish between those who use the property and those who own the property. The best question is who is allowed to sell the property and who uses the money from that property. I think this is all solvable,” the High Representative said.

Travelling to Republika Srpska

Responding to the threats and warnings of the RS President, Milorad Dodik, that he would be arrested if he came to the RS, Christian Schmidt said that he has already been to the RS many times and that he will go again, and that he will decide for himself when he will go.

“The first time I had contact with Dodik was when he said that he didn’t recognize my position. I will come if he calls me. I will go to Republika Srpska, I have been there so many times already and I will continue to go there. I will decide how, what and when. When I feel there is a need to be in contact with people, not only with politicians. Maybe I will be in the RS, and the president of the RS won't know because I don't intend to ask him,” Schmidt said.

Election Law amendments

He was asked if he interrupted Bosnia’s European accession path by imposing changes to the Election Law.

“People complain about my decision, but tell me specifically what is wrong with my decision? What is wrong with voters voting from their polling station? The EU is right when it says that the Parliament should have made such a decision. I made a contract with the voters,” the High Representative said.

Is electronic voting, i.e. scanners possible from October?

“It will be part of a pilot project, in some 100 or more places. It takes a lot of material and a lot of training. OSCE; USAID, and the Council of Europe, all offer and support the machinery that needs to be introduced. I'm sure we can do it, but we need a decision,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt was asked if he would overturn the RS parliament’s decision of RS Election Law in case it gets adopted, to which he said:

“There are institutions within BiH that decide on this and the EU was clear when it said that this is something that is not right. I would say let's not go too far in everything now, let's sit down and do what is best for the people”.