Speeches

We came here today to address the challenges facing businesspeople in BiH and to find ways of overcoming those challenges. Why is this a priority? Because when businesses grow they generate prosperity, they create jobs, they deliver goods and services that help raise living standards. Everybody benefits. The return of refugees to their homes and th [...]

Before I begin my speech, I’d like to say one thing. I cannot and will not predict the outcome of a criminal investigation. But I want to state clearly that I believe the decision by the RS Minister of Finance, Milenko Vracar, to resign yesterday evening was an honourable and brave political act.

Today’s ceremony is not simply about appointing individuals to responsible and challenging positions. It is about a broader issue, an issue that cuts to the heart of everything we have, together, sought to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the end of the war. It is about protecting the people of this country, protecting their rights and prot [...]

I have the honour of representing the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lord Paddy Ashdown. The High Representative is personally committed to the success of the Stability Pact and will do everything in his power to promote its initiatives in BiH and to ensure that BiH is a constructive and active player in the region. However, since [...]

There are sound reasons to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the medium-term impact of a well-implemented investment cycle can be profound. Prosperity in this country is not a mirage; it is not a distant dream; it is achievable within five to ten years. When I use the word prosperity, I mean exactly that - not sustainability, not subsistence, b [...]

I want to tell you this evening what I believe we can achieve together because you have a right to know what to expect from me. I am your servant, quite as much as I am the servant of the international community.

It’s great to be back. And a great honour to be taking over from my distinguished predecessor, Wolfgang Petritsch. He has left us with a foundation to build on and, with your help, I intend to build on it. My wife Jane and I are really looking forward to making our home here for the next few years, and I am looking forward to working with you [...]

It is a short farewell address and I hope you will forgive me if I switch to the local language. But please be assured that my words are not only addressed to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to you - for all the extraordinary hard work you have put in during my time here. I know you will give all your support to Lord Paddy Ashdown. [...]

The High Representative, during his almost three years in Bosnia and Herzegovina has repeatedly stressed the preeminence of education for the country's recovery. A well managed school and university system that uses effective modern teaching methods to educate a new generation is not a luxury, it's a necessity as BiH competes with its neighbours to [...]

Let me first express my thanks to all of you for your participation at this conference, which I personally consider of utmost importance in our continued efforts to strengthen the state and the democracy of BiH. I welcome you on behalf of the OHR and in particular on behalf of the OHR’s Anti-Fraud Department, which has organised today’s conference. [...]