On Monday 15 October, the Foreign Affairs Council confirmed that, within the framework of its comprehensive strategy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EU was ready “to continue at this stage the executive military mandate of Operation Althea to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities to maintain the safe and secure environment, under a renewed UN mandate”. In November, the UN should decide whether or not to renew the mandate.
In its conclusions, the Council explains that it looks forward to the presentation of the next strategic review in 2019 “as a basis for discussion with member states on EUFOR’s tasks and options for the future of the operation”. It states it will also bear in mind the need to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in its EU integration process and taking into account the security situation on the ground.
Further to the strategic review conducted in 2017 – at the Council’s request – Operation Althea has already “refocused on its core mandate, while retaining the elements of capacity building and training deemed to be still necessary and phasing out the other elements no longer relevant”, the ministers point out.
Looking beyond the operation, the EU calls on the Bosnian authorities, with the support of the international community, to accelerate their efforts to address the disposal of excess ammunition, weapons and explosive devices as well as demining.
Furthermore, the conclusions specify that, further to the elections on 7 October (see EUROPE 12113), the Council expects all leaders to engage constructively on government formation at all levels, in the interests of all citizens. “The Council (...) expects the BiH authorities to prioritise taking forward the reforms needed to advance on its EU path, ensuring the full and effective implementation of the reform agenda”, ministers say. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)