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The German government decided to send up to 50 soldiers to the EUFOR / Althea peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The goal is to maintain stability on the eve of the October elections.
Ten years after leaving, German soldiers will return to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was approved by the German government on Wednesday (June 15). The decision envisions sending up to 50 soldiers as part of the EUFOR / Althea mission.
The first 25-member Bundeswehr contingent is expected to leave for Bosnia and Herzegovina in August. The mandate is initially set for one year. It must be approved by the Bundestag before it can enter into force. The largest opposition group, the CDU / CSU, welcomed the decision, but criticized the number of soldiers.
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit argued that the increase in the German presence in the region is crucial for the stability and security of the EU and its member states in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans. “Germany will provide its assistance in maintaining stability in the run-up to the elections in October 2022,” he said.
Joesph Borell in Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 2022
“Eyes and ears for the mission”
Defense Ministry spokesman David Helmbold said the first contingent would be under 50. One part would be stationed at Sarajevo Central Command, while another would be on the ground with observation and liaison teams to monitor the situation. in place. “They will serve as an eye-opener for the mission, so that, if necessary, it responds with increased forces,” Helmbold said at the regular conference of German government spokesmen on Wednesday 15.06 in Berlin.
The mandate is expected to be approved by the Bundestag as early as next week. The opposition parliamentary group CDU / CSU welcomes the return of German soldiers to EUFOR-Althea, but criticizes the contingent number. The group’s foreign policy spokesman, Jürgen Hardt, said in a statement that limiting the number of soldiers to 50 was not enough. According to Hardt, the German Foreign Ministry had requested a higher number. “A lost chance of the government to give a signal not only symbolic, but strong, at this important time in a region of strategic importance, such as the Western Balkans,” said Hardt.
Deputies from the ruling coalition party, SPD, Gruene, FDP, also demanded a stronger signal, preparing a draft resolution calling for a stronger engagement of Germany in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only in military terms, but even the civil one.
The German Minister of Defense, Christina Lambrecht, and Sifet Podzic, the Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on May 4, 2022, in Sarajevo
EUFOR (European Union Force) ALTHEA currently consists of 18 monitoring and liaison teams. The International Battalion in the Butmir camp, Sarajevo, supports security forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, EUFOR ALTHEA maintains an intervention force in the event of a deterioration of the situation. ./ DW
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