EUFOR supports the ‘Run to Europe’

Written by Lt Cdr Mark Frost RN

As part of the ‘Europe Week’ celebrations, the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Directorate for European Integration of Council of Ministers of BiH are organising numerous sports and cultural events across the country. The aim of these events is to bring the values of a United Europe closer to citizens, as well as emphasise the significance of the BiH accession process to Europe.
On Sunday 8 May, the ‘Run to Europe’ 4 kilometre road race was held. This was the third time the event had taken place and provided an opportunity for professional and amateur athletes from BiH to join the Europe Day celebration. In addition to the local runners, over one hundred personnel from the many different nations that contribute troops to EUFOR participated in the run as well. This gave the race a truly ‘whole of Europe’ feel as the soldiers from Austria, Hungry, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ireland and the Netherlands mixed with the other race participants.
Major General Bernhard Bair, COM EUFOR was invited as one of the guests of honour and presented the medals to the winners in the men’s race. General Bair said,” Today’s event typifies the EU approach within BiH – a comprehensive approach utilizing both political/military organizations to help inform the people of BiH about the benefits of EU membership.” He went on to say “sport is excellent at bringing different people together in competition and fun and we have certainly seen that today.”
Last week, members of EUFOR HQ and the Regional Co-ordination Centre South were in Mokro to support the Delegation of the European Union launch their Europe Day celebrations on 4 May. The EU Van was visiting the Primary School in Mokro as part of the process of informing people about the benefits of joining the EU. The van will visit 6 locations throughout BiH over the next two weeks. The celebrations started in the school gymnasium with a handicapped volleyball tournament. There were 4 teams representing Brcko, Foca, Beograd (Serbia) and Zadovici taking part in the tournament. Further detail of the EU Week events and locations can be found at www.europa.ba.

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