Sorensen Takes Top EU Position in Bosnia

Peter Sorensen

Peter Sorensen, a Dane with more than 15 years’ experience in the Western Balkan region, is one of just eight EUSR’s operating in the world. His appointment, made some months ago, marked the end of the practise of combining two of the most senior roles in Bosnia; the EUSR and the High Representative.

Up until today, Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko has held both posts – a situation often referred to as “double-hatting”. However, concerns were increasingly raised that combining two such demanding roles compromised efficiency leading to the decision to separate them this year. Inzko is continuing in his post as High Representative in Bosnia.

Sorensen’s role as new EUSR makes him a lynchpin in the EU’s presence in Bosnia. His responsibilities are to coordinate EU bodies in the country, build self-sustaining peace and stability and assist the country in its move towards European integration.

The two main EU bodies in Bosnia are the EU Military Operation, EUFOR ALTHEA, and the EU Police Mission, EUPM. Both have seen significant changes to their original mandates.

The manpower for ALTHEA has reduced substantially over the last decade. When established in 2004, it had 7,000 on-the-ground troops. Today, the number has been scaled back to 1,700 troops. EUPM was launched in 2003 to run for three years. Its mandate has since been extended. It has a total of 134 international staff and 151 local staff.

Over time, the OHR is expected to transition into the EUSR, meaning the role of High Representative is one envisaged to discontinue at some point in the future.