The Council of the European Union today formally appointed Miroslav Lajčák as the European Union’s Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with effect from 1 July 2007 at a meeting in Luxembourg. 

Ambassador Lajčák was already appointed the international community’s High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina last month and will succeed Christian Schwarz-Schilling in both roles. 

Mr Lajčák, a 44-year-old Slovak diplomat, is best known for his role as mediator and personal representative of Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in Montenegro last year where he oversaw the Montenegrin referendum on independence. 

Javier Solana welcomed Ambassador Lajčák’s appointment saying: “I am delighted that the Council has appointed Miroslav Lajčák as EU Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of my recommendation. Ambassador Lajčák is a senior diplomat with broad experience in European and Balkan issues, including as my personal representative for the facilitation of the Montenegrin dialogue. 

“I look forward to working with Ambassador Lajčák, who has my full support, and I wish him every success. I should also like to express my gratitude to the outgoing Special Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, for his dedication and work throughout his mandate.” 

As EU Special Representative, Ambassador Lajčák has a broad mandate, including the following: 

• offering the Euroepan Union’s advice and facilitation in the political process;
  
• promoting overall EU political coordination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular of EU efforts in tackling organised crime;

• supporting the preparation and implementation of police restructuring and for a reinforced and more effective BiH criminal justice/police interface, in close liaison with the EU Police Mission;

• contributing to the development and consolidation of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with EU human rights policy;

• engaging with relevant BiH authorities on their full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; and
  
• providing political advice and facilitation in the process of constitutional reform.