EU delivers medical and transport vehicles to BiH Armed Forces to support demining

On the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, the EU handed over today 21 medical and transport vehicles for the Demining Battalion of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was the first delivery of a total of 68 vehicles that Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive as part of an Assistance Measure worth €10 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support Bosnia and Herzegovina to become mine free. 150 metal detectors under this Measure were already handed over in July 2022.

European External Action Service Managing Director for Europe Angelina Eichhorst said, “The European Union is fully committed to supporting security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To this end, we have allocated over €20 million in assistance to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to the support provided for a safe and secure environment through Operation EUFOR ALTHEA.”

Ms Eichhorst congratulated the members of the Armed Forces of BiH on Armed Forces Day underlining the importance of their work as a successful symbol of the country’s diversity and one of its most trusted institutions. Ms Eichhorst noted that security is an essential component for stability, prosperity and progress on the EU path and stressed that EPF support is a vital element to enhance the capacity of the BiH Armed Forces to contribute to security in the region, and participate in military missions and operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy. She also underlined the EU’s role as the most loyal partner and provider of assistance for BiH. 

In addition to the Assistance Measure for demining, the EU approved in December 2022 a further €10 million to provide field equipment, key tools for military engineering and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) material for the Tactical Support Brigade of the BiH Armed Forces. The Armed Forces of BiH further benefit from a €6 million Assistance Measure under the EPF for the Balkan Medical Task Force. As part of this measure, the EU will deliver ambulances, terrain vehicles, equipment for hospitals and laboratories, and IT and communication equipment to medical military units in the region.

The Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez said, "With this valuable donation, our Demining Battalion will work even harder to implement the national demining strategy, according to which our country should be cleared of mines by 2025. Also, our deminers, empowered with these valuable funds, as well as those that will be donated in the future, will be real leaders in the field of humanitarian demining and will be very happy to make themselves available to EU and NATO forces in the implementation of these demanding and challenging tasks."

Through the EPF, the EU emphasises its commitment to stability and security in its neighbourhood and around the world as well as its comprehensive approach to supporting partners, determination to protect democratic values, and readiness to take the role of security provider.