The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, visited EUFOR at Camp Butmir, on Monday 15 April, spending several hours with the Polish troops.
After presiding over a parade of Polish soldiers, and presenting several of them with medals, President Duda met with EUFOR staff including Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Gabor Horvath, and the Polish Senior National Representative, Lieutenant Colonel Pawel Jedryczka.
Addressing the Polish soldiers at the parade, President Duda said: “You are a visible representation of the Polish commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkan region; I am very proud of your professionalism and dedication, and the significant part you play in the EUFOR mission”.
On parade was Commander Mariusz Kuchta of the Polish navy, when asked about President Duda’s visit he said: “The President wished us, and our families at home, a Happy Easter, it was a wonderful message from him; his visit is a great honor for us today”.
After the parade, President Duda and Polish representatives attended a service at the memorial garden in Camp Butmir to honor the Polish soldiers who have lost their lives whilst serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Poland is one of 20 troop-contributing countries in the EUFOR mission; there are 15 EU, and 5 non-EU countries contributing troops to Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
