EU Political and Security Committee visits BiH

The Political and Security Committee, with representatives from each of the 28 European Union member states, arrived today for a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to familiarise themselves with the factual situation on the ground. The Committee meets in Brussels at the ambassadorial level, as a preparatory body for the Council of the European Union. Its main functions include monitoring the international situation and supporting the definition of policies within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.
 
The visit began with a meeting at the „Butmir“ base, the headquarters of the EUFOR operation ALTHEA. During presentations by the hosts, General Adrian Bradshaw, the operation commander, and Major General Dieter Heidecker, the EUFOR commander, the ambassadors had the opportunity to learn more about EUFOR's work on capacity building and training of the Armed Forces of BiH. EUFOR-ALTHEA monitors and supports the BiH authorities in carrying out activities such as mine action, military and civilian control of the movement of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and management of weapons and ammunition storage sites. EUFOR also supports BiH's efforts to maintain a secure environment in the country.
 
The Committee then continued with a series of official meetings with the highest officials of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the BiH Presidency and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zlatko Lagumdžija.
 
To gain insight into the effects of EU funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Committee visited the Sarajevo City Hall, which was renovated thanks to nine million euros from EU funds, as well as significant financial contributions from Austria, Hungary and Spain. The Committee ambassadors will meet tonight with representatives of civil society, the media and representatives of international organisations during a ceremonial reception.