Bosnia high‑rep appointment and EU envoy Kaja Kallas visit

Ambassador Aleksandar Vranješ said the United States continues to back Antonij Zanardi Landi for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next High Representative, rejecting a compromise that would see Christian Schmidt remain after 1 July. The EU favours Landi but seeks concessions on his powers and the country’s “5+2” agenda.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Italy’s candidacy for the post, noting Italy’s support for Landi and stressing the role of the High Representative in Bosnia’s overall stability. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will be in Sarajevo on 1‑2 July to urge Bosnian authorities to accelerate reforms required for the accession negotiations opened in March 2024, especially in the judiciary and rule‑of‑law areas.

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik used social media to warn that the EU‑backed reform path will be blocked while Kallas holds her EU portfolio, accusing her of undermining Bosnian sovereignty. The visit follows repeated EU calls for Bosnia to fulfill remaining accession obligations and appoint a chief negotiator with the Union.