No new operation in Bosnia, but a new mission within Althea
(BRUSSELS2) The 27 Foreign Ministers should 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“It will aim to accompany the process of reforming the security sector in Bosnia, according to the draft conclusions that 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 a UN mandate". In doing so, we accept part of the Swedish compromise (2) but in a less rough way. While taking into account the reality: the absence of any real military risk (3). The 27 should therefore continue to closely monitor the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and "intend to review the operation regularly, 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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