Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to take forward the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina following reports that a new High Representative will be installed in the next six months.

The United Kingdom is an active partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina, supporting its transition to a peaceful, functional and multi-ethnic state, and its Euro-Atlantic future. We are using our political influence and programme assistance to help bring about reforms in the rule of law and justice, defence and security, democracy, human rights and the economy. We work together on tackling COVID-19 and building back stronger. Our COP26 Presidency positions us to advocate for real action on climate change. We champion reconciliation and a focus on a shared future which encourages the disillusioned to stay; and we call out the ethnic division which looks backwards. In this we engage with the authorities at all levels, but also civil society organisations, youth and women, the media, business and academia. Working with international partners is key to achieving progress. This includes the Office of the High Representative, which continues to have the United Kingdom's full support.