The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Austria, Karin Kneissl, visited the EUFOR Headquarters in Camp Butmir on the 22nd of February. On arrival she was greeted with an Honour Guard of the Multinational Battalion and introduced to several key EUFOR staff members from Austria. She met with Commander EUFOR, Major General Anton Waldner, to be briefed on Operation Althea and the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
They discussed the current key issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the important role that EUFOR plays in ensuring a safe and secure environment in BiH. The Minister highlighted the good relations between the two countries and the importance of the support of Federal Republic of Austria to the continued progress of BiH on its path towards European integration.
Before meeting with political and religious leaders, she took the opportunity to visit Austrian troops stationed in Camp Butmir, alongside the Austrian Minister of Defence, Mario Kunasek. Austrian personnel work in almost every part of Operation Althea including Capacity Building & Training, disposal of surplus ammunition and the Multinational Battalion. Around 200 Austrian soldiers are currently serving in BiH under COM EUFOR.
