The ”EUFOR – Quick Response 2022” exercise, in which soldiers from 20 countries are participating, began yesterday at the Butmir base in Sarajevo.
The exercise began with a demonstration of the flying capabilities of EUFOR helicopters, and the soldiers will participate in tactical exercises and patrolling until November 22nd.
The commander of EUFOR, Major General Anton Wessely, said that the operation “Althea” provides support to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in maintaining a safe and stable prosecution.
”In accordance with our mission, we in EUFOR demonstrate the full commitment of the European Union (EU), as well as the wider international community, to all citizens of BiH. We are impartial and treat all nations equally. We are partners to the authorities of BiH, the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH) and law enforcement authorities, and ultimately to every person in BiH,”Wessely stated.
He noted that EUFOR consists of countries participating in the mission from Turkey to Chile.
”The motto of our forces means twenty countries united for BiH and we act as a single team,” he emphasized.
Moreover, he notes that the exercise is an integral part of the training plan, which will be strengthened in the coming years through several exercises during the year.
”We have already started working on improving our cooperation with BiH. Today we demonstrated the close cooperation of EUFOR, the EU, and the institutions of BiH. This relationship will be practiced and strengthened through these exercises,”General Major concluded yesterday.
Yesterday’s review and demonstration exercise was also attended by BiH Minister of Security Selmo Cikotic, BiH Deputy Minister of Defense Mijo Kresic, representatives of the EU delegation, and numerous other high-ranking dignitaries, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
