The Commander of EUFOR (COM EUFOR) undertook a two day visit to Liaison and Observation Teams (LOT) based in the North East of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22/23 February 2012.
The purpose of the visit was to meet the EUFOR personnel deployed in the LOT houses, and to receive briefings on the activities of the teams and their interaction with local communities.
During the first day of the visit, COM EUFOR met with the Turkish personnel of LOT Kladanj, the Greek personnel based in LOT Zvornik and the Austrian personnel stationed in LOT Tuzla. All three LOT teams briefed on the general situation in the region, as well as the positive response to EUFOR among the local population. COM EUFOR also met with the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, Mr Sead Causevic, with whom he discussed the current situation in Tuzla, including the impact of the recent heavy snowfall, and the assistance given by EUFOR to local communities around the country during the severe weather episode.
The second day of the visit began with a series of briefings at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). COM EUFOR saw at first hand the important work being carried out by the ICMP, and was briefed on the advanced technology being used to assist the Commission in its difficult task. The briefings were followed by visits to Greek and Austrian LOT Houses in Ugljevik and Brcko respectively, where COM EUFOR met with both military and civilian staff. Current issues were discussed, including the forthcoming EUFOR School competition, which will be launched shortly and publicised by LOT teams in schools around the country.
The two day visit concluded with meetings with Mr Peter Appleby, the Deputy Head of the Brcko Final Award Office, and Mr Esad Atic, the Chair of the Assembly of Brcko District of BiH. The meetings included discussions on the general situation in Brcko District and the wider region.
COM EUFOR praised the professionalism of the LOT personnel he met during his visit, and thanked them for the important work they are carrying out on behalf of EUFOR.
