OHR’s Statement at the International Agencies’ Joint Press Conference in Mostar

High Representative to Hold Talks on Coordinating Economic Strategy and Improving BiH Business Environment

The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, will hold talks in Sarajevo this morning with country directors of the international financial institutions, focusing on how best to coordinate the activities of the IFIs in BiH.

This afternoon, the High Representative will meet ITA Director Kemal Causevic, who will brief the High Representative on the status of VAT implementation and on the overall fiscal situation in BiH. As you will know, the introduction of VAT is likely to give a significant boost to the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise sector, where the greatest number of new jobs are expected to be created as BiH moves forward with its economic transition. The High Representative has made it clear that he sees the promotion of a better business environment in BiH – one that will allow SMEs to get create desperately needed new jobs – as one of his key priorities.

High Representative to Meet Council of Ministers

Tomorrow, the High Representative will meet BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Adnan Terzic and the other members of the CoM. This will be the High Representative’s first formal meeting with the Council of Ministers since taking up his mandate. 

The High Representative will, among other things, reiterate his publicly stated position that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be decided by the citizens of this country and their elected leaders. The forthcoming elections must be about issues rather than personalities – because the elections, not the High Representative, will determine the well being of BiH and its people.

More details for media will follow later today.