Major General Anton Wessely took over as EUFOR Commander in Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in January this year.
In an interview, Wessely spoke about his mandate in our country but also referred to the cooperation with the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH), as well as the growing presence of EUFOR soldiers on the streets.
Positive engagement
You have been in BiH for more than three months, what are your experiences so far?
In the past three months, my engagement with the citizens and institutions of BiH has been very positive. I took over the appointment of the EUFOR commander earlier this year and within a few weeks, the EUFOR middle reserve was activated. This activation of 500 members of the reserve force, as a purelyprecautionary measure, required a high degree of planning and logistics in order for the troops to be successfully deployed in the mission area.
How do you see the AFBiH and the partnership with EUFOR?
As the EUFOR Commander, I was given the opportunity to communicate with the AFBiH on a professional level. These are professional, dedicated, multiethnic forces, with which EUFOR has close working relations. We have close cooperation in many areas, which is crucial and mutually beneficial. This cooperation is the foundation of EUFOR’s relations with the wider authorities in BiH, where our mission is to support those authorities in an impartial manner in maintaining a secure and stable environment. As part of the European Union (EU)‘s overall commitment to the security of BiH citizens, EUFOR has provided a 10 million-euro donation from the EU for the procurement of 68 new vehicles and 150 metal detectors for the AFBiH Demining Battalion.
Effective support
The increasing number of EUFOR members on the streets across BiH has attracted a lot of attention recently. Is there cause for concern about the security situation in Bosnia and ourregion?
Given the changing security situation at the international level, I decided, purely as prudence and precaution, to call part of the EUFOR reserve forces stationed outside BiH to strengthen EUFOR forces in the country. This was done to give EUFOR the opportunity to support our partners in BiH more quickly and efficiently in the field when it comes to maintaining a secure and stable environment. EUFOR is continuously assessing the security situation in BiH, EUFOR’s assessment remains that there is currently no threat to the secure environment in BiH. This increased presence and level of patrols aim to demonstrate the continued determination of the EU and EUFOR to support the BiH Government in maintaining a secure and stable environment.
Impartial military force
What does Operation Althea mean for BiH, as well as the fact that its mission has been extended?
Operation Althea shows the EU’s impartial determination to maintain stability in BiH by having enough capable forces in the country to support the BiH Government’s efforts to maintain a secure environment. The recent increase in troops is an additional demonstration of the commitment of the EU and the wider international community to BiH. EUFOR is an impartial multinational military force, committed to supporting all BiH citizens, Avaz writes.
E.Dz.
