On 16^th May 2013, COM EUFOR, Brigadier General József SZPISJÁK, paid a visit to BiH Mine Action Center (BHMAC) in Sarajevo. He was greeted by BHMAC Director, Mr Dušan GAVRAN. During the visit COS EUFOR received full information about the structure, tasks and activities of BHMAC. Director GAVRAN pointed to a significant role of AF BiH and EUFOR in the process of demining the country. He emphasized very the good relations between EUFOR HQ and BHMAC and thanked all EUFOR soldiers for their professional and hard work in support of demining BiH.

Read more: Visit of EUFOR Chief of Staff to BHMAC

Lt Cdr Gareth Jones,  Mrs Elma Robovic, Lt Col Otmar Lindner, Major François-Xavier Boell representing EUFOR at the EU Open Day.

A small team from the EUFOR Public Affairs Office in Sarajevo joined with colleagues from the European Union (EU) Military Staff Group to present the recent work and mandate of EUFOR ALTHEA, particularly the achievements of Exercise Quick Response, at the EU Open Day in Brussels on Saturday 04 May 2013.

Read more: EUFOR Althea’s Contribution to Common Security and Defence Policy Display at European Union Open Day in Brussels

The Distinguished Visitors Day for EUFOR Operation Quick Response was held on Thursday 26 April at PAZARIC “Zaim Imamovic Barracks”. An impressive military display took place in the presence of the Operational Commander of EUFOR ALTHEA, General Sir Richard Shirreff, the Deputy Defence Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Mr Mirko Okolic, Commander EUFOR, Major General Dieter Heidecker and Chief of the Joint Staff Armed Forces BiH, Major General Anto Jelec. Also present was a wide variety of distinguished visitors from BiH, EUSR, NATO and the International Community.

Read more: EUFOR Exercise QUICK RESPONSE 2013: Report of Demonstration Day and the Operational Commander’s Assessment and Comments

As part of her Balkans tour, High Representative/Vice President Catherine ASHTON visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday 18 April 2013. Lady Ashton commenced her day in the country with an official call on the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she expressed her disappointment that the political leaders of the country had not found an agreement on implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case 'SEJDIC and FINCI' and urged the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to hold their leaders to account.

Read more: European High Representative Lady Catherine ASHTON visits Bosnia and Herzegovina

(EUFOR/Airport SARAJEVO) On Tuesday the 16^th of April 2013 Brigadier General Jozsef Szpisjak, Chief of Staff EUFOR and member of the Hungarian Army, opened the Media Event after the landing of an ANTONOV airplane at Sarajevo International Airport with the words “The Exercise has begun”.

Read more: “The Exercise has begun”

In order to mark the official start of “Exercise Quick Response 2013” on 15 April 2013 all participants were formally welcomed and addressed by the Commander EUFOR, Major General Dieter HEIDECKER, and EUFOR Chief of Staff, Brigadier General József SZPISJÁK. This small ceremony took place inside ARCHER BASE, the Black Hawk helicopter hangar inside Camp BUTMIR. General Heidecker highlighted the importance of the role that EUFOR has still to play and thanked all participating nations for their valuable support and commitment. General Szpisják expressed his sincere appreciation of the excellent work demonstrated by his staff that had paved the way for a successful start of the exercise. A total of approximately 800 personnel will be actively involved in the conduct of the exercise.

Read more: Opening Ceremony kicks off EUFOR Exercise Quick Response 2013