The Hungarian Defense Forces have already proven that they are capable of leading a major NATO operation, the new commander of the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Major General László Sticz, told the Hungarian media. He said that EUFOR forces would intervene in the country only if the BiH police would not be able to ensure peace. However, he points out, as in Kosovo, the situation can escalate at any time.
“In 2021, the Hungarian commander of the KFOR mission in Kosovo was already active, and now, for the first time, a Hungarian general will lead the European Union (EU) mission in BiH for a year. The Hungarian Defense Forces not only participate in such a large operation, but also coordinate and lead it. Furthermore, there will be the possibility of using new military equipment, such as new helicopters, which indicates that the reform of the development of the Hungarian forces launched in 2018 is taking great steps forward”, said Sticz for the M1 channel, Hungary Today reports.
Operation Althea or formally known as EUFOR (EU Forces in BiH) is an international force operating under the authority of the European Council. The military operation was launched on December 2nd, 2004, nine years after the war in BiH, with the main task of a peacekeeping mission in BiH. After the decision of the Political and Security Committee of the EU, in January 2024, Hungary for the first time offered to lead the thought of EUFOR ALTHEA.
Speaking on Radio Kossuth’s Good Morning, Hungary, Sticz said the root of the current situation is the 1992-1995 armed conflict. It ended with the Dayton Agreement, determining the future of the region. He explained that there are two parts of the country, one dominated by the Serbian population and the other by Croats and Bosniaks, and that the goal is to integrate both areas, to be able to cooperate and be ready to join the EU.
“But that requires economic, political and military assistance, provided by NATO, and since 2004 by the EU,” he added.
The EU operation provides support to local authorities, especially the BiH police, Sticz pointed out.
“The military risk is secondary, the EU mission will intervene only if the BiH police cannot ensure peace. But the situation could escalate at any time, as happened in Kosovo last May. That is why an international military force is important, which must be impartial and credible, with a deterrent if necessary,” he told.
An important military capability of the Hungarian forces includes, among others, air transport and evacuation and rescue, which not only serves the safety of EU mission soldiers, but can also provide assistance to the local population in case of need. “In addition, due to the mined areas in the region, the ability to destroy bombs is also of great importance,” he added.
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky confirmed in October last year that the command of the EUFOR Althea mission in BiH will be taken over by Major General Laszlo Sticz from January 1st, 2024, and announced the reinforcement of the mission with additional forces this year.
“The Hungarian Defense Forces are stepping up their commitment: during 2024, additional forces and vital capabilities will join the EUFOR Althea mission. The experience of Major General Sticz in the development of sgag makes him a strong leader of this mission”, announced the Hungarian minister on the X social network, N1 writes.
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