As a result of improvements in the security situation, EUFOR has been able to assume a discreet and inconspicuous posture and the number of peacekeepers in
A decision in principle to reduce the number of troops in
“As on previous occasions, this decision will be based on a thorough assessment of the security situation in
“The planned reduction should not be interpreted as a lessening of the European Union’s commitment to
Mr Schwarz-Schilling and Admiral Witthauer noted that first-time visitors to
“The fact is that the normality of everyday life in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the great achievements of the peace process; it stands as a testament to how far this country has come in recent years,” they wrote.
The High Representative/EU Special Representative and EUFOR Commander pointed out that the European Union is reinforcing its civilian presence in
“EUFOR will be smaller next year, but it will retain the same robust peace-enforcement mandate under Chapter
A multinational manoeuvre battalion will be based in
If needed, EUFOR would also be able to call on immediate reinforcements in the form of over-the-horizon troops, the same kind of forces that reinforced NATO’s Kosovo Force in March 2004. Moreover, EUFOR will maintain for some time the capacity to reverse the force reduction and to re-establish a more heavyweight presence should that appear necessary.
“Such worst-case contingency planning is both prudent and standard procedure. No one expects it will have to be implemented,” Mr Schwarz-Schilling and Admiral Witthauer concluded. “Instead, we hope and expect the security situation to continue to improve to the point that it is self-sustaining.”
The text of the article can be accessed at www.ohr.int and www.eusrbih.org.