EU Defence Ministers praise Bosnian elections
Unofficial meeting in Finnish Lapland
Seppo Kääriäinen
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The European Union is preparing to reduce its force of more than 6,000 soldiers in Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the same time the focus is to be increasingly on civilian matters, such as police activities.
The ministers of defence of the EU countries, who are meeting at the resort of Levi in Finnish Lapland, did not reach full agreement on the timetable for the move. The matter is to be discussed further in November.
The strength of the EU forces is to be cut back to about 1,500 troops.
The ministers also praised the elections that were held in Bosnia on Sunday. The chairman of the meeting, Finnish Minister of Defence Seppo Kääriäinen (Centre), was pleased that the elections passed peacefully. He also noted that the high turnout was encouraging.
EU foreign affairs envoy Javier Solana said at a press conference on Monday evening that he hopes that the new leaders would continue the policy of reforms and cooperation with the EU. Solana also commented on the statement last week by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who said that EU enlargement should be put on hold after Romania and Bulgaria become members.
"The countries of the West Balkans have the right to become part of the EU if they meet their obligations. That was decided years ago", Solana pointed out.
On the first day of the unofficial defence ministers’ meeting, the participants focused on the operations in Bosnia and Sudan, and on the development of the EU’s military capacity.
The EU is giving financial support for the African Union operation in the Darfur region of Sudan. It is to be taken over by the UN at the end of the year.
The ministers noted that the EU’s combat forces will be ready to start operations at the beginning of January. The force can be deployed at short notice for crisis management operations.
Finland, Germany, and The Netherlands will be the first three countries to be on alert for possible crisis management missions.
At Levi, the ministers were treated to a demonstration by Finnish combat forces on how to respond to a protest by young angry men.
The temperature was a chilly three degrees Celsius, but the organisers did not need to buy new coats for the guests, as occurred during a meeting of agriculture ministers a week ago; the ministers of defence were given Finnish army commando jackets to wear.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 3.10.2006 - TODAY |
 EU Defence Ministers praise Bosnian elections
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