EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Operation EUFOR ALTHEA)
Mission background
The military operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was launched on 2 December 2004 and has contributed to the maintenance of the safe and secure environment in BiH ever since. The launch of Operation ALTHEA followed the decision by NATO to conclude its SFOR-operation and the adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 1575 authorising the deployment of an EU force (EUFOR) in BiH. In the framework of Operation ALTHEA, the EU initially deployed 7000 troops, to ensure continued compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in BiH and to contribute to a safe and secure environment. Operation ALTHEA is carried out with recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, under the "Berlin Plus" arrangements.
Mandate and Objectives
In light of the improving security situation, Operation ALTHEA has been reconfigured four times, most recently in September 2012, but continues to act in accordance with its peace enforcement mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, as specified in the latest UN Security Council Resolution 2183 (2014).
The main objectives of Operation ALTHEA are:
- To provide capacity-building and training support to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- To support BiH efforts to maintain the safe and secure environment in BiH
- To provide support to the overall EU comprehensive strategy for BiH.
Operation ALTHEA monitors and supports the local authorities in carrying out tasks derived from the GFAP (Dayton Agreement) such as: countermines activities, military and civilian movement control of weapons, ammunition and explosive substances, as well as the management of weapons and ammunition storage sites.
Operation ALTHEA retains its presence throughout the country through Liaison and Observation Teams (LOT). The manoeuvre units, based in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo, are made up of troops from Austria, Hungary and Turkey.
Operation ALTHEA functions under the "Berlin Plus" arrangements, the Operation Commander is General Sir Adrian John Bradshaw (UK) who is also NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR). The EU's Political and Security Committee exercises the political control and strategic direction of the operation, under the responsibility of the Council of the EU.
Through its presence in the country and its support to the local authorities, EUFOR remains an important and visible contribution to the EU’s efforts in assisting BiH on its path towards EU membership.
Facts and Figures
Theatre: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Headquarters: Sarajevo (Camp Butmir)
Starting Date: 2 December 2004
Head of Mission: The EU Operation Commander is General Sir Adrian John Bradshaw (UK).
The EU Force Commander as of 17 December 2014 is Major General Johann Luif (Austria)
Mission strength: 600
Mission budget: The common costs of the operation are EUR 14 million.
The costs are paid through contributions by all the EU Member States (minus Denmark).
Contributing states:
17 EU Member States
5 Partner Nations: Albania, Chile, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Switzerland and Turkey
www.euforbih.org