On 15th December 2015, the Austrian Minister of Defence and Sport, Mr Gerald Klug, visited EUFOR in Camp Butmir. The Minister took part in the Austrian Senior National Representative (SNR) handover ceremony. Colonel Juergen Schlechter handed over to Colonel Georg Peterlini. Having witnessed the handover ceremony at this prestigious event Mr Klug spoke to all in attendance. He highlighted the importance of the continued Austrian military support for the mission, and the significance of their contribution. Mr Klug then attended a Christmas dinner with the Austrian military to mark the SNR handover and his important visit.
Ministry of Defence and Sport, sometimes shortened to BMLVS or Verteidigungsministerium, is the Austrian government ministry responsible for all matters relating to military affairs and to sport. The minister is head of all the ministry's subordinate authorities and has command and control of the Austrian Armed Forces. Austria is a significant troop contributor to EUFOR, and has men and women working in almost every facet of the mission. This includes personnel in the HQ, including COM EUFOR; the Capacity Building & Training of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina; three Liaison and Observation Team Houses in Bratunac, Brcko, and Tuzla; Military Police; Medical Centre staff; and a Helicopter Detachment.
