The government of the Netherlands made a decision to send its soldiers to the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina(BiH), which will replace part of the forces that are leaving our country.
In October, the government will send 150-man infantry units from the marines group to BiH. An intelligence unit of ten people is also coming to BiH in June, and four officers are already present.
The total number of EUFOR soldiers will not be increased, but Dutch soldiers will replace the soldiers of other countries in the EUFOR mission who are leaving this year.
Last year, the Dutch government already announced that it wants to send a larger unit to BiH.
The European Union (EU) wants to expand the mission because tensions in the region have increased due to the war in Ukraine.
The government points out that Russia and China are trying to increase their influence in BiH, writes Paudal.
“Russia benefits from unstable BiH in order to prevent further rapprochement with the EU and NATO and increase its influence in the Balkans,” the Dutch foreign minister and defense minister wrote to the country’s House of Representatives.
According to the Dutch authorities, China has more economic interests.
“China sees the Western Balkans as a gateway to Europe and is mostly economically active in the region,” it said.
Recently, the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU considered a document on BiH, in which it was pointed out that, in case of need, additional forces can be deployed in our country.
“The mission (EUFOR) has been in the country since 2004 through the United Nations (UN) executive mandate and ensures a safe environment and continues to ensure the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Currently, the military forces number 600 soldiers, and 3,500 personnel are deployed in the reserve,” it was stated.
E.Dz.
