Colonel José Manuel Santiago Marin, the Commander of the IPU leads parade past gathered dignitaries.

Today, 20^th October 2010, saw a ceremony to mark the official end of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the closure of the Integrated Police Unit’s (IPU) HQ in Camp Butmir.

COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair praised the long work of the IPU and EGF saying “When this country only knew conflict and despair you helped bring peace, stability and security to so many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

COM EUFOR praised all those who were receiving their OP ALTHEA medals, reminding them to be proud of their hard work, their professionalism and their contribution to the country.

Read more: End of European Gendarmerie Force Mission in BiH

His Excellency Mr Raimondo De Cardona with Colonel Paolo Coletta.

On 20th October 2010, a Medal Parade was held for the EUFOR Italian Contingent in the International Gym Camp Butmir, Sarajevo.

Commander of the Carabinieri Contingent in BiH and Logistics Support Unit Cdr, Colonel Paolo Coletta and Commander of Italian Contingent, Lt Col Ernesto Acciarino were presented with their Operation ALTHEA Medals by His Excellency Mr Raimondo De Cardona, Italian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair. Colonel Edmondo Panaioli, Chief of the Information and Analysis Division (IAD) was also present at the ceremony.

Left to Right, Brigadier General Enyeart, Mr. Serge Brammertz, COM EUFOR

On 19th October 2010, Mr. Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crime Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), paid a visit to EUFOR HQ in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. He was greeted by COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair and COM NATO HQ Sarajevo Brigadier General Enyeart, after which they sat down for an office call.

Read more: Chief Prosecutor of ICTY Visits EUFOR

COM EUFOR at EUFOR Cup 2010 opening in Sarajevo.

On 19th October 2010, COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair, opened the 2^nd EUFOR Cup 2010 qualifier at Vistafon hall, Sarajevo.

COM EUFOR thanked all the partners of the Cup, especially AF BiH without whose help this event would not have been possible and said that the most important thing was the opportunity to meet and mix with other players.

48 teams from the Sarajevo region will compete for places in the national final, taking place in November.

Read more: COM EUFOR Opens EUFOR Cup 2010 Qualifiers in Sarajevo

Brigadier General Baki Kavun with COM EUFOR.

On 19^th October 2010, Brigadier General Baki Kavun, Peace Support Operations (PSO) Brigade Commander of Turkey, paid a visit to COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair. During the subsequent office call, the two Generals exchanged their opinions on a number of matters. COM EUFOR informed Brigadier General Kavun about the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and also took the opportunity to praise the effort and contribution of the Turkish contingent of EUFOR, currently the second largest contribution within the mission. These troops form part of the Multinational Battalion and man some of the Local Observation Team houses around the country.

Photo 1: Left to Right on front row: H.E. Alejandro Alvargonzález San Martín, Minister Cikotić, General Jose Julio Rodriguez Fernandez, Mrs. Carme Chacón Piqueras (on podium), Major General Bernhard Bair.

On 18^th October 2010, the Spanish Minister of Defence, Mrs. Carme Chacón Piqueras, visited EUFOR HQ with a high level delegation including the Chief of Staff General Jose Julio Rodriguez Fernandez, to meet with COM EUFOR, Major General Bernhard Bair. She was greeted by a Guard of Honour outside the EUFOR HQ building.

During the subsequent office call, COM EUFOR praised the contribution, sacrifice and the commitment of the Spanish Military and Guardia Civil to Bosnia Herzegovina and the EUFOR ALTHEA mission and thanked the Spanish for their ongoing commitment to the Capacity Building and Training Mission.

Read more: COM EUFOR hosts Spanish Defence Minister and Change Of Command of the Multinational Battalion