EUFOR has not been provided with evidence or information that would confirm the presence or activities of any paramilitary camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR stated.
“In order to maintain a comprehensive overview of the situation on the ground, EUFOR uses various means to gain detailed and objective insight into the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” states EUFOR’s response to Srna news agency question about Defense Minister Zukan Helez’s statement that “there are certain forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina that are completely sufficient, except for EUFOR, to ensure complete security and help the Armed Forces of BiH and BiH to be safe”, for which he did not want to say whose they were.
In addition to the means of data collection and resources at its disposal, EUFOR maintains regular contacts with its partners in the authorities in BiH, from the local to the BiH level, who deal with security issues.
“Once again, we confirm our commitment to cooperation with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to effectively respond to potential security threats. EUFOR continuously invests efforts in monitoring the development of the situation in the region with the aim of maintaining a safe and stable environment”, EUFOR points out.
EUFOR’s cooperation with representatives of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina is of key importance in order to ensure a proactive and coordinated response to any challenge, Eufor states, adding that they remain firmly committed to security in the region.
“EUFOR is also active at the local level throughout BiH, with its 19 liaison and observation teams /LOT houses/ located in local communities in all parts of the country. LOT houses are in daily contact with local communities and authorities. This to EUFOR enables it to maintain direct contact with the population and identify any issue that could pose a threat to a safe and stable environment,” EUFOR noted.
EUFOR, with the constant support and commitment of the EU, will continue to monitor the development of the security situation and maintain close ties with partners in the government in BiH, the response added, noting that they remain committed to a strong partnership with BiH.
Helez stated that in BiH “there are certain forces that are completely sufficient, apart from EUFOR, to ensure complete security and help the Armed Forces of BiH and BiH to be safe”. “I can tell the citizens because I know who we have, what we have in BiH to be calm and peaceful, that there are no problems,” Helez said.
