US Ambassador to BiH Michael Murphy has taken on the role of Matthew Palmer, the now-former US Special Representative for Negotiations on Amendments to the Election Law in BiH.

Answering reporters’ questions, Ambassador Murphy said it was a common diplomatic matter and a decision by official Washington.

“This happens every few years, sometimes a little longer, and I have taken the responsibility and I will be an integral part of this team together with the representatives of the European Union and Ms Angelina Eichhorst in the hope that we will successfully complete these negotiations in the next few days,” Murphy said.

Palmer više nije član pregovaračkog tima o Izbornom zakonu – potvrdio je ovo Michael Murphy, novi ambasador Sjedinjenih Američkih Država u BiH pic.twitter.com/zw1Xzlq90r

— TV N1 Sarajevo (@N1infoSA) March 17, 2022

Asked whether a new US mediator will be appointed in case the negotiations take longer, Murphy said he hopes an agreement will be reached quickly and that there will be no need for new appointments.

Matthew Palmer and Angelina Eichhorst, managing director at the European External Action Service (EEAS) have previously worked with domestic officials on changes to the Election Law, however, no progress has been made in this field and BiH politicians have not reached an agreement.