site.btaDeputy Minister Iliev: EU's Commitment to Western Balkans Is Key for Region's Security Environment

The European Union's commitment to the Western Balkans is a key strategic factor in terms of the region's security environment, political progress and economic development. For Bulgaria, ensuring the security and prosperity of countries in the Balkan region is a priority issue, Deputy Defence Minister Radoslav Iliev said here on Friday. He was speaking at a meeting with EUFOR Commander Major General Florin-Marian Barbu at the headquarters of the EU's Operation Althea in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Defence reported.

Iliev said that the Bulgarian Armed Forces will continue to contribute to the effective implementation of the EUFOR mission, thereby ensuring a deterrent effect against all factors aimed at destabilising the country. Major General Barbu thanked Bulgaria for its contribution to the EUFOR operation and praised highly the Bulgarian military contingent on behalf of the Althea operation command.

Later in the day, Iliev held a meeting with the Bulgarian commander of the contingent, Major Emil Florev, and with Bulgarian military personnel participating in Operation Althea. Issues related to the performance of their duties within EUFOR were discussed during the talks and he thanked the military personnel for carrying out their tasks in such a dignified and professional manner.

The Ministry recalls that Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established on December 2, 2004 by a decision of the Council of the EU, as a continuation of the peace and security maintenance activities carried out by the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). The operation's mandate is renewed annually by a UN Security Council resolution. Twenty EU Member States and partner countries participate in Operation Althea. Its main task is to support the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities in maintaining a safe and stable security environment.

Bulgaria began participating in SFOR in June 1997 with an engineering contingent. Over the years, Bulgaria has contributed to the stabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina by deploying Bulgarian Army formations of various sizes and purposes. To date, Bulgaria has contributed over 4,200 military personnel.