Czech Troops from the EUFOR Reserve Force Arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Members of the Czech EUFOR contingent arrive at Sarajevo Airport. Photo: European Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina/Facebook
The European Union Force (EUFOR) reserve troops continued their deployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina today, with a plane carrying Czech contingent members landing at Sarajevo Airport.
EUFOR Deputy Commander Lorenzo Dal Maso greeted the newly arrived soldiers in BiH, and EUFOR confirmed plans to further bolster its presence in the region over the next few days.
Initiated on March 11, the arrival of EUFOR reserve forces includes additional personnel, vehicles, and helicopters from the Czech Republic, Italy, and Romania.
Ground forces are set to enter through the Svilaj and Bijača border crossings in the northern and southern parts of the country, while air contingents will arrive at Sarajevo Airport.
In response to escalating tensions following the enactment of unconstitutional laws in the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, EUFOR previously stated it would temporarily increase troop numbers as a precaution.
In late February, the RS Assembly enacted laws prohibiting the operations of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), Court, Prosecutor’s Office, and High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council within the RS territory.
The passage of these laws followed a court ruling that sentenced RS President Milorad Dodik to one year in prison and imposed a six-year ban on holding public office for his noncompliance with decisions made by the High Representative in BiH, Kristian Schmidt, and his signing of legislation previously annulled by Schmidt.
The Constitutional Court of BiH has since issued a temporary injunction halting these laws; however, the RS authorities have stated they will continue to pursue their implementation.
The deployment of EUFOR reserve forces coincides with a session of the RS National Assembly, during which discussions on the proposed new RS Constitution are taking place.
This new constitution aims to establish the RS as a nation of the Serb people, affirm its right to self-determination, create its own military, and eliminate the Council of Peoples. Additionally, RS lawmakers are anticipated to deliberate on establishing a special court and prosecutor’s office aimed at “protecting the constitutional order.”
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