“I am confident that the coordination of the International Community and the work of the OHR are in good hands,'' said the outgoing High Representative, Paddy Ashdown. “Dr. Schwarz-Schilling knows this country, loves this country, and has acted out of principle for the benefit of this country. I can think of nobody better to take over”, he added, during a short ceremony in front of the entrance of the main OHR office in Sarajevo.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has entered a new phase; it has begun negotiating a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Commission”, said the incoming High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue the work, and to continue with the reforms in order to make this country a normal country, with its rightful place in Europe ”.