No new operation in Bosnia, but a new mission within Althea
(BRUSSELS2) The 27 foreign ministers are expected to approve, on January 25, the reconfiguration of the EU military operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Althea). Instead of launching a new operation, which some States refused (1), the 27 chose the solution of integrating a new mission within the existing operation. The mission "non-executive support for training and capacity building” will be launched “as part of Operation (Althea)” with the “necessary arrangements“. Its objective will be to support the process of reform of the security sector in Bosnia, according to the draft conclusions which have reached me.
Operation Althea continues
Operation Althea therefore continues its action to maintain the “safe and secure environment”, according to the mandate of United Nations Resolution 1895. The EU “remains ready, if the situation requires it, to maintain an executive military role to support this effort after 2010 under UN mandate”. In doing so we accept part of the Swedish compromise (2) but in a less harsh way. While taking into account reality: the absence of real military risk (3). The 27 should therefore continue to closely monitor the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and "intend to regularly review the operation, to take into account the internal situation in Bosnia, as well as developments concerning the international community, ( notably) the future role of the EU Special Envoy (EUSR).
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