08/09/23 (Agence Europe) – The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, announced on Thursday 7 September that he had ordered the police to arrest and expel the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, if he attempted to enter the entity’s territory. “If he goes to a meeting in Republika Srpska, he will be expelled. As soon as the police discover that Mr Schmidt is in Republika Srpska, they will be tasked with organising a unit to expel him”, said Mr Dodik at a press conference. Christian Schmidt’s authority, which includes the power to impose laws and dismiss civil servants who obstruct pacification, is not recognised by the Bosnian Serb community. On 5 July, several MEPs called for support for Mr Schmidt’s position and for sanctions to be imposed on Mr Dodik (see EUROPE 13216/11). (TM)