Speeches

I would like to begin by thanking Judge Surlien for the IJC Final Report and for her remarkable diligence and dedication during her time as Director of the IJC. It is clear that without her vision, foresight and dedication the mandate of the IJC would not have been completed so successfully. I would also like to thank all of you gathered here t [...]

In 2003 the BiH government and the International Community entered into a partnership to reform public administration in BiH. The BiH government pledged at the Peace Implementation Council to make this reform one of its highest priorities. These reforms are necessary because public administration in BiH is outdated and inefficient.

Let me say at the outset that as Supervisor, and on behalf of all Supervisors who have served Brcko District, that I do hope to influence you - the elected Councilors of Brcko District – not in favor or against any person or party – but only to urge you to bring constructive attitude to the immediate task of selecting the best possible Government [...]

Dear family representatives, dear Minister, representatives of the ICRC, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have the opportunity to address you on behalf of the OHR. First of all I would like to extend to you the greetings of the High Representative.

It is my great pleasure to represent the Office of the High Representative and to support this event. I am particularly pleased to have an opportunity to participate in this discussion about water and ecology because the topic still receives insufficient public attention in this country and in BiH’s neighborhood. Most people in BiH have access to [...]

The metaphor of the bridge is one of the most potent in the political lexicon. It acknowledges the fact of division and partition, whilst simultaneously proposing a means of connection and resolution. Four months ago, at the re-opening of one of the world’s most famous bridges – the Old Bridge that links the two sides of the divided city of Mosta [...]

Thank you very much for the opportunity to address you on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Catholic School Center in Sarajevo. Since my arrival to BiH I have repeatedly stressed the importance of education for the future of this country. A well-managed education system that uses effective, modern teaching methods to prepare a new genera [...]

This conference will be addressed by experts, who will analyse specific problems in areas affecting BiH agriculture and propose possible solutions to the most critical problems facing those working in this sector. Anyone travelling around this country knows that the people in the villages and in rural areas need solutions now. What they need is - a [...]

First of all, Mr. Speaker, can I thank you for the opportunity to address again this distinguished gathering. As you know I take the view since I have arrived here that appearing before the parliaments of BiH and of being available to answer questions is part of the accountability which I hope to have as High Representative toward elected represe [...]

There’s always a danger with events like these that people offer sage advice which may be true and valuable in their own theatre, but which is wholly out of placed and misplaced in another. Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and now Iraq have taught us that each situation is different, and requires different solutions. But there are some common themes, [...]