Podžić: The Armed Forces of BiH to once again confirm readiness to fulfill all obligations

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić on Sunday, 30 August 2020, participated in the ceremony marking the official start of the EUFOR exercise „Quick Response 2020“, which also includes units of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This annual exercise tests EUFOR's ability to deploy reserve forces located outside BiH, which participating countries keep on high readiness. This year, the AF BiH are participating in the exercise with one infantry platoon, members of the Military Police, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, and one medical evacuation helicopter. For the needs of the exercise, the Ministry of Defence of BiH has also made available its own infrastructure capacities at various locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the presence of state ministers, international embassies, and EUFOR representatives, a formation of fully integrated soldiers from several countries was held today. In his address, the Minister of Defence of BiH Sifet Podžić emphasized that in addition to the AF BiH, other security bodies of BiH are also participating in the exercise, which represents an additional benefit of this exercise.

„We are confident that, through the exercise ahead of us, EUFOR will confirm its readiness to carry out the mission within its assigned mandate, and the AF BiH will once again confirm our readiness to fulfill all obligations placed before them, including those in the international environment,” said Minister Podžić.

As part of the „Quick Response 2020“ exercise, EUFOR reserve forces arrived from Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom, and KFOR components, to
join colleagues from the EUFOR Multinational Battalion, before deploying to locations across BiH.

Each soldier entering the country has complied with strict COVID-19 pandemic protection rules. EUFOR's Operation „Althea“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina currently consists of forces from 20 countries, with a mandate to support BiH and help maintain a safe and stable environment.