EUFOR begins Quick Response 2020 exercise

(Patria) - The ceremony marking the start of EUFOR's Quick Response 2020 exercise was held today, August 30. The annual exercise tests EUFOR's ability to call up and deploy reserve forces located outside BiH, which participating countries maintain at a high level of readiness.

In the presence of state ministers, international ambassadors, and representatives of the Armed Forces of BiH, fully integrated soldiers from several countries were paraded. In his address at the exercise's commencement ceremony, EUFOR Commander, Major General Reinhard Trischak stated:

"The preparation was carried out in close cooperation with the AFBiH, law enforcement agencies, and relevant ministries, and the exercise would not have been possible without such cooperation."

EUFOR reserve forces arrived from Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom, and KFOR to join and integrate with their colleagues from the EUFOR Multinational Battalion before deployment to locations across BiH for the exercise. Every soldier entering the country adhered to strict quarantine rules, as well as rules for virus testing, in accordance with international regulations and those issued by BiH and EUFOR.

Exercise Director Brigadier General Erno Barath stated:

"This week we signed an agreement that gives EUFOR new momentum in advancing with our partners. Cooperation and the connection with the AFBiH will continue. Soldiers' training will be conducted through a series of unannounced scenarios during the exercise, to test their reaction and to ensure the successful implementation of the intensive cooperation program at Camp Butmir.

EUFOR's Operation Althea currently consists of forces from 20 countries with a mandate to support BiH and help maintain a safe and stable environment.