A deepening divide between the United States and Europe over the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina has become apparent after a dispute over a top international post, leading to a threat from Washington to review its role in international peacekeeping missions in the country.
The US Embassy in Sarajevo issued the warning after European countries refused to support the preferred American candidate for the post of international High Representative.
During a meeting of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), which oversees the implementation of the 1995 Dayton Agreement, the US supported Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi, while Britain, France, Germany and most European countries lined up behind the French envoy for the Western Balkans, René Troccaz.
In a response to Platform X, the US Embassy in Sarajevo said the US was disappointed by the lack of European consensus and the PIC’s failure to elect a new successor. It warned that these divisions were forcing Washington to reconsider its engagement in current international structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, theguardian writes.
Although the US no longer has a large military presence in Bosnia, it continues to have influence through the PIC and bilateral relations, while a small European Union peacekeeping mission operates on the ground.
The PIC is expected to attempt again to reach a consensus on the appointment of the High Representative later this month, with the possibility of compromise candidates emerging.
Some European officials have suggested that a possible US withdrawal from its role would change the balance in the region, especially in a sensitive and polarized political climate in Bosnia. In this context, doubts have also been raised about the motives of the US administration, including recent developments around the lifting of sanctions against Milorad Dodik after lobbying in Washington.
The US has also put pressure on the outgoing High Representative, Christian Schmidt, following his punitive measures against Dodik for violating the Dayton Agreement.
At the same time, reports have also highlighted the growth of business interests linked to the circle of US President Donald Trump in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Banja Luka as a guest of Milorad Dodik’s family.
According to reports from the PIC meeting in Sarajevo, the US has been more determined in supporting Landi’s candidacy than Italy itself, further deepening divisions with European partners. /Telegraph/