On 4 February 2016, Commander European Union Force (COM EUFOR), Major General Johann Luif welcomed Commander of Turkish Land Forces, General Salih Zeki Çolak who was on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and to the Headquarters of EUFOR in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo.

Commander of Turkish Land Forces was met on arrival at HQ EUFOR by a Guard of Honour from EUFOR’s Turkish soldiers serving in the Multinational Battalion (MNBN). During an Office Call the Generals discussed the overall security situation in BiH and the wider region; EUFOR’s ongoing Mission objectives; and more specifically recent EUFOR Capability Building and Training (CB&T) activities in support of the Armed Forces of BiH. General Luif thanked General Çolak for Turkey’s continued high level of cooperation in the field of Peace Support Operations in BiH, and the important contribution of Turkish troops and capability to the EUFOR Mission Operation ALTHEA.

Turkey is one of the largest troop contributing nations to the EUFOR Mission. It provides key personnel to essential Staff Officer positions in HQ EUFOR alongside that of the MNBN and other various commitments in support of EUFOR. Turkey also provides manpower in five of the EUFOR Liaison and Observation Teams (LOTs) based in ZAVIDOVICI, TRAVNIK, ZENICA, LIVNO and JABLANICA. COM EUFOR highlighted the professionalism of the Turkish troops under his Command, and noted the significant contribution and commitment they make to Operation ALTHEA.
General Salih Zeki Çolak was appointed Commander of Turkish Land Forces in August 2015.

Spokesperson: Lt Cdr L. Byrd RN
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