Thank you Mr. President.

I would like to set out Ireland’s position on this issue and decision to abstain from today’s vote.  

Ireland fully supports the Office of the High Representative and believes that its role remains vital to the work of building a stable and prosperous future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We welcome the PIC Steering Board decision on the appointment of Mr Christian Schmidt as High Representative and look forward to working with him.

Our clear view is that the expression of support by this Council is not legally necessary for the decision of the PIC Steering Body to appoint a new High Representative to take effect. We are open in principle to a resolution welcoming and agreeing to the appointment of the new High Representative.

We abstained on this resolution because it would constrain the powers of the High Representative and impose a timeframe for the closure of the OHR, which we cannot accept.

We recall that the most recent report of the Secretary-General notes that progress has not been made in implementing the 5+2 Agenda whose completion is a prerequisite for the closure of the OHR Office.

I would like to conclude by reaffirming once more that it is Ireland’s wish to see Bosnia and Herzegovina become a stable and prosperous country. We support the work of all those who can assist the country with that objective.