Sir Simon McDonald KCMG KCVO, the Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the United Kingdom visited HQ EUFOR in Sarajevo on Monday 11th September.
He was accompanied by the British Ambassador and British Defence attaché to Bosnia and Herzegovina. EUFOR Chief Of Staff, Brigadier General Szpisják and NATO HQ Sa Commander, Brigadier General Robert A. Huston greeted him on his arrival at Camp Butmir. They all participated in a brief presentation where the EUFOR’s mission was discussed at great lengths as well as the close cooperation on EUFOR and NATO within the region. As the UK’s most senior diplomat Sir McDonald reiterated the UK’s enduring commitment to the stability, security and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and of the wider region. Acknowledging the vital contribution the EUFOR mission was making to the Safe and Secure Environment of BiH and that the mission was significant in ensuring the wider stability of Europe.
On completion of the meeting the Permanent Under Secretary was escorted by the UK Senior National Representative to the garden of remembrance at Camp Butmir. The Permanent Under Secretary laid a wreath and paid his respects at the UK memorial which commemorates the 59 UK Military personnel who lost their lives whilst on operations in BiH from 1992 to date.
(Source: eufor, written by Lt Cdr Jamie Weller)
