On Monday 3rd December 2018, the Chief of the Joint Staff for Armed Forces Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Senad Masovic, visited Camp Butmir to meet COMEUFOR and senior staff.
A bright and sunny winter's day was the setting for a flag raising ceremony held at Camp Butmir on Wednesday 14th November.
The occasion was the return of France as a troop contributing nation to EUFOR after a gap of three years.
On Monday 15th October in perfect conditions, the Mountain Rescue Team from Novi Grad, Sarajevo arrived at Camp Butmir to practice their skills and enhance their cooperation with EUFOR by taking part in a combined training day with the EUFOR Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter. They were joined by colleagues from the IIidža rescue team, Civilian Protection Agency of municipality Novi Grad, and the Federation BiH Civilian Protection Agency.
On Friday 5th October, during the 'Justice for David' rally in Banja Luka, SRNA (Srpska Republika Press Agency) published an article on their webpage which was taken up by other news outlets. The article stated:
"EUFOR drone is currently above the Krajina Square in Banja Luka where the rally of 'Justice for David' group is about to start. According to EUFOR's estimates, there are now approx. 7,000 supporters of the group 'Justice for David.'"
Today saw the end of the ‘Live’ phase of Exercise Quick Response 2018. The finale was held at Camp Butmir where COMEUFOR, Major General Martin Dorfer presided over a dynamic scenario and demonstration within the grounds of the camp.
'Quick Response 2018' will practice EUFOR's capability to call in reserve forces to reinforce and maintain a safe and secure environment in support of local authorities, law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Major General Martin Dorfer, Commander EUFOR, paid a courtesy call to the President of the Federation of BiH Marinko Čavara on 23 May. During that visit, they discussed the security situation in BiH and COMEUFOR expressed EUFOR’s ongoing support to the safe and secure environment in the country. COMEUFOR did not, as some news outlets have incorrectly stated, give any political statement or express support for any political party or political position, as this would be beyond his remit as Commander European Union Force, Operation ALTHEA.
On Wednesday 8th August 2018, the Minister of Defence for Poland, Mr Mariusz Błaszczak, visited Camp Butmir to meet EUFOR staff and to meet Polish soldiers working at the mission.
On Friday 27 April 2018, in a ceremony held at EUFOR Headquarters near Sarajevo, Brigadier General József Szpisják relinquished his position of Chief of Staff EUFOR. His successor, Brigadier General Gábor Horváth, who is also from the Hungarian Armed Forces, assumes the position with immediate effect.
In accordance with its mandate under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, EUFOR works closely with the authorities of BiH and Law Enforcement Agencies to maintain a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoting a climate of peace and stability.
On 28 March, Major General Anton Waldner, relinquished his position as Commander EUFOR (COMEUFOR) in a Change of Command Ceremony held at Camp Butmir near Sarajevo. General Sir James Everard, as the Operation Commander, passed the authority of Commander European Union Force to Major General Martin Dorfer who begins his period of command immediately.
HQ Staff Photo