The Council held an exchange of views on the Commission’s Progress Reports on the Western Balkans. On this occasion discussions focussed on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council welcomed the formation of the new Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and encouraged the new authorities to ensure a swift and effective implementation of all four conditions needed for the conclusion of negotiations for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
The Council also urged the new authorities to use the current momentum to bring forward police reforms. The Council took note that the Political and Security Committee has approved the revised OPLAN for Operation ALTHEA, enabling the progressive but reversible reconfiguration of EUFOR to go ahead, whilst taking account of the country’s security situation.
As part of its overall engagement in BiH, the EU will retain a military presence in the country in order to continue contributing to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment. EUFOR will retain some 2 500 troops on the ground, backed up by an over-the-horizon reserve forces, ready to respond to possible security challenges throughout the country.