[In brief] EUFOR Althea reserve deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina

(B2) Since April 22, the multinational battalion of the Strategic Reserve Force is deployed in Orasje, northern Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Village patrols and training

French, Romanian and Italian elements will patrol for several weeks, aboard light armored vehicles (LAV), in urban areas and in the countryside. This exercise officially has two objectives: first, “ meet the local population to explain EUFOR’s missions ", and secondly, carry out joint exercises with the army of Bosnia-Herzegovina, notably shooting exercises.

Preserving stability in the Balkans

Beyond these rather banal objectives in themselves, this exceptional deployment has above all a strategic virtue: to recall the European military presence for stabilizing the country to avoid secessionist temptations, especially on the side of the Republika Sprska. The decision was taken by the foreign ministers of the 27, during an emergency meeting, on February 25, 2022, the day after the Russian decision to intervene militarily in Ukraine. As a precaution. “ We are going to see provocations in the Balkans”, then warned the high representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, who chaired the meeting.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)