Dutch Ambassador Rob Bosscher met Covic in Sarajevo yesterday to convey the request on behalf of the current EU chair Luxembourg, which does not have an embassy in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Dutch Embassy said in a statement that Bosscher informed the Croat member of the state presidency that this was a unanimous position of the EU and that his resignation was the only way to demonstrate a sense of political responsibility and wisdom.
The Office of the High Representative (OHR) said in a statement that ambassadors from countries-members of the PIC Steering Board met in Sarajevo last night and urged Covic to resign immediately in order to protect the dignity and integrity of his office and be able to defend himself in court free of obligations arising from his current post.
Earlier in the day, the US Embassy called on Covic to step down, as did the Canadian Embassy.
The Canadian Embassy also announced that it would support additional measures by the High Representative in case Covic did not resign.
This confirmed for the first time that High Representative Paddy Ashdown would use his powers and replace Covic if he fails to resign of his own accord.
Such a measure would permanently remove Covic from Bosnia's political scene regardless of the outcome of the court proceedings that are awaiting him.