Bucharest, Jan 21 /Agerpres/ - The Defence Ministry on Monday reported that Romania has taken over the command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR).

In the presence of senior official for defence policy, planning and international affairs Simona Cojocaru, and Chief of Defence Gheorghita Vlad, Major General Florin-Marian Barbu took over the command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina - EUFOR today, January 21, during a ceremony that took place in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo.

By taking over the command of EUFOR, the largest multinational operation in the Western Balkans carried out under the aegis of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Romania currently exercises command of two of the nine military operations and missions under the flag of the European Union, to which it contributes troops and military equipment.

'Romania's operational involvement in EUFOR ALTHEA, which command will be exercised by Major General Barbu, is proof of our firm commitment to the Western Balkans,' Cojocaru is quoted as saying in a press statement released on Tuesday.

After a successful term of Brigadier General Ovidiu Lungu, between May 2023 and May 2024, as Chief of Staff of EUFOR ALTHEA, the Romanian Army increased the level of representation in the operation by taking over the leadership of the most important multinational force in the Western Balkans.

The exercise of the EUFOR command is said to strengthen the prestige and consolidate the respect enjoyed by the Romanian military within the Euro-Atlantic community.

'By taking over the command of EUFOR, Romania reaffirms its status as the main contributor to the multinational stabilisation force deployed by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina,' Vlad is also quoted as sya9ing in the statement.

Romania will provide several essential functions, including the command of the multinational battalion, which can react 'firmly', depending on the needs, in support of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to maintain a safe and secure climate.

'The stability of the Western Balkans region is a priority for Romania, which is of strategic importance for European and Euro-Atlantic security,' says the ministry.

At the same time, starting Monday, the Romanian Air Force Detachment joined the EUFOR ALTHEA operation, with the main responsibilities related to medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), in 24/7 regime and the transport and research missions under the command of EUFOR.

For the next four months, four IAR 330 helicopters of the Romanian Air Force will perform specific transport, research and medical evacuation missions under the command of EUFOR.

Thus, the Romanian Air Force returned after a period of 20 years within the EUFOR ALTHEA operation.

Operation EUFOR ALTHEA was launched on 2 December 2004, under a mandate of the UN Security Council (Resolution no. 1575/2004), and aims to support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina maintaining a safe and stable environment. At present, 24 nations are present in the operation, including EU and non-EU member states. AGERPRES (RO - author: Mihai Stoica, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)