Schmidt on phasing out Bonn Powers: “If you do it too early, maybe you get more problems”

Asked what role his successor could play in the context of Bosnia's European integration process, Schmidt stressed that EU membership remains the only viable framework for balancing competing political interests in the country.

“European integration is the only fitting system to balance different interests and different opinions,” Schmidt said.

He argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to struggle with political compromise and that the European Union can help provide both experience and guidance in that regard.

“This country has a problem that there is not sufficient preparedness for having a kind of compromise. So this experience and this message could be the European Union and should be,” he said.

While declining to offer direct advice to the person who will eventually replace him, Schmidt said his experience suggests that the Office of the High Representative should retain its full range of powers for as long as necessary.

“You may understand that I would not give a consultation to my not known successor, but definitely what I can see from my experience, you need, as long as necessary, the full scale of the possibilities of the High Representative,” he said.

His comments come amid growing debate over the future role of the OHR and the so-called Bonn Powers, which allow the High Representative to impose laws and remove officials deemed to be obstructing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Schmidt said that if Bosnia and Herzegovina advances in the EU accession process and formal negotiations move forward, discussions about reducing the role of the OHR could become realistic.

“If European integration goes more step by step, if negotiations are opened, I think we can talk about phasing out these ideas of the Bonn Powers and going to the Berlin Process and things like this,” he said.

At the same time, he cautioned against rushing such a transition.

“But this is dangerous. If you do it too early, maybe you get more problems than you want to see,” Schmidt warned.

He urged decision-makers to proceed carefully and gradually.

“So please do it quiet, calm, in a good way,” he said.

Schmidt added that he would remain willing to share his experience in the future if asked.

“Anytime if I'm asked, I will give consultation, but only if I must,” he said.