Christian Schwarz-Schilling takes over as High Representative in Bosnia

Christian Schwarz Schilling describes his new role as that of "adviser" to Bosnia-Herzegovina, ultimate guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the man to lead Bosnia from its status of semi-protectorate to normal sovereign statehood. His involvement with Bosnia dates back to 1992 when he resigned from the Kohl government in protest at Germany's and Europe's unwillingness to stop the fighting in former Yugoslavia. He became involved in international efforts to stop the war and began to work as international mediator in Bosnia. He continued this work for over 10 years.

Christian Schwarz-Schilling studied sinology in Munich. For 25 years he ran a family business with a few thousand employees near Frankfurt. He was a member of the Landtag in Hessen from 1966-1976 and of the German Bundestag from 1976 to 2002. From 1982 to 1992 Schwarz-Schilling was Minister for Post and Telecommunications. In the Bundestag he was Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid.

Christian Schwarz-Schilling was one of the main supporters of ESI when it was set up in 1999. Two of the three founding ESI board members (Gerald Knaus and Dieter Wolkewitz) were also his advisors for his Bosnia mediation.

Please read recent press coverage on Bosnia and Christian Schwarz-Schilling as well as relevant ESI reports.