The United Nations Security Council unanimously renewed the EUFOR Althea mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 12 months. Britain welcomed the decision while highlighting continuing obstruction of state institutions and failures to implement constitutional rulings. Its representative also supported retaining the separate civilian Office of the High Representative because the conditions for its closure remained unmet.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of EUFOR Althea, the European Union military force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for 12 months on October 30.[1], [2]
Britain’s UN representative Sarah MacIntosh welcomed the renewal and described the force’s presence as important for peace and security. She stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence must be upheld.[1]
MacIntosh welcomed the peaceful October 4 elections and the first nationwide use of election technology, which London viewed as supporting transparency and confidence. She also identified obstruction of state institutions, failures to implement Constitutional Court decisions and unresolved state-property issues. The British representative linked those concerns to the latest report of the High Representative, the international civilian official overseeing implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.[1]
Britain supports the continued work of the Office of the High Representative. MacIntosh said the conditions in the 5+2 agenda, the framework for completing that office’s work, had not been met. London supported the acting High Representative and the use of executive powers where necessary. It regarded the choice of a successor as a matter for the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, the international body responsible for that appointment.[1]
