On 20 Dec 17, Brigadier General József SZPISJÁK, Chief of Staff EUFOR (COS EUFOR), received a certificate of appreciation from the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH (DCPB) for his 'excellent cooperation and support'.

On presenting the commendation, the Director of DCPB, Mr Mirsad Vilić said that such a certificate of appreciation is not handed out lightly, but reserved to recognise the DCPB's true friends and partners who really deserve it. He stressed that the close working relationship and coordinating role that COS EUFOR has with DCPB makes EUFOR's continued support and training of the Law Enforcement Agencies even more valuable.

EUFOR and BiH Law Enforcement Agencies undertake comprehensive exercises to ensure their readiness to maintain the safe and secure environment in BiH. October's exercise "Quick Response 17' was the first year in which Law Enforcement Agencies worked with AFBiH and EUFOR in simulated security situations around Sarajevo Airport. COS EUFOR hoped that next year's Quick Response Exercise would continue to see this enhanced cooperation between the armed forces of BiH and EUFOR, and the local and state police.

Thanking Mr Vilić for his kind words, COS EUFOR said that he was very honoured to receive such appreciation, and that seeing the improvements which are brought to the people of BiH through close cooperation gives him immense pride. He added: "While I am delighted to receive this individual recognition, I would like to recognise the work of all EUFOR personnel - in the HQ, the Multinational Battalion, and EUFOR LOT Houses - who are the visible and tangible support of the EU to BiH as it moves towards a European Union future."