During her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met with the international community's High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt who held a press conference after the meeting.

Schmidt said that this visit is extremely important for BiH, especially at a time of great political tensions.

“Thank you for being here. The international community is truly aware of the importance of stability in the region and globally. Today's visit is an extremely important signal that Japan shows concern for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Japan made a great contribution in the post-war period of this country. Japan is present in BiH as a member of the Steering Board for the Peace Implementation Council and they take this decision very seriously. As High Representative in BiH, I will express my gratitude to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan for her work in the Peace Implementation Council, and I will repeat this soon when I visit Tokyo,” said Schmidt.

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He then added:

“Currently, BiH needs a lot of support, we are facing a challenging period in the country. There are some forces that would like to block the processes [in the country]. I will not allow this, together with the Peace Implementation Council. No one has the right to deny people a chance for the EU. I would invite the Peace Implementation Council to work together for a better future for BiH and its development. I invite everyone who has contact with the people in Banja Luka to warn them to take care of the people and not to play games and pass laws such as the Law on Elections. We are building this country on reconciliation and respect. I am looking forward to the historic visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to BiH.”