SVK personnel receive presents ahead of Christmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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- Date: 06.12.2018
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On his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina today (6 December), Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš paid a visit to SVK personnel carrying out the tasks of Op EUFOR ALTHEA. At a pre-Christmas meeting with SVK soldiers, he handed over 7 new vehicles to them. Traditionally, he also brought them a Christmas tree and ingredients for the Christmas sauerkraut soup (kapustnica) from Slovakia.
Speaking in front of the assembled troops, Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said:“Our servicemen and women have served on teams helping to maintain and support the stability of the country for over 14 years, for which they are deserving of our respect and recognition.” He used the occasion to say “Thank You” to them for maintaining high standards of performance and their commitment to peace and security. “I know it is far from easy for you to be serving away from your families during the festive period. Yet this shows that your work is very important and much needed,” emphasised the minister. He reminded that almost 850 SVK servicemen and women have rotated in and out of Op EUFOR ALTHEA since its inception.
Chief of Defence Lt Gen Zmeko added that the SVK Contingent has been an integral part of EUFOR troops in BiH. “By carrying out their operational duties and responsibilities, our troops are delivering on the goals of Op EUFOR ALTHEA, to ensure there is no recurrence of violence,” said the CHOD.
Commander SVK EUFOR ALTHEA Contingent Lt Col Štefan Rigas appreciated the delivery of new vehicles. “Also thanks to the new equipment, I am convinced we will discharge our duties even better.”
The Slovak Republic has been the Lead Nation (LN) for the LOT Coordination Centre (LCC) since 1 September 2012, with its Liaison and Observation Teams (LOTs) monitoring the situation across the whole of BiH. SVK personnel have been posted to NATO HQ Sarajevo and three LOTs based in Novo Sarajevo, Foča and Višegrad. As of today, there are 41 SVK personnel serving in BiH.
Established in 2004, Op EUFOR ALTHEA is the European Union’s longest military operation. Its main goals are to stabilise the security landscape of BiH, to build the capabilities of the BiH MOD and Armed Forces, and to deliver on the Dayton Agreement.
Speaking in front of the assembled troops, Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said:“Our servicemen and women have served on teams helping to maintain and support the stability of the country for over 14 years, for which they are deserving of our respect and recognition.” He used the occasion to say “Thank You” to them for maintaining high standards of performance and their commitment to peace and security. “I know it is far from easy for you to be serving away from your families during the festive period. Yet this shows that your work is very important and much needed,” emphasised the minister. He reminded that almost 850 SVK servicemen and women have rotated in and out of Op EUFOR ALTHEA since its inception.
Chief of Defence Lt Gen Zmeko added that the SVK Contingent has been an integral part of EUFOR troops in BiH. “By carrying out their operational duties and responsibilities, our troops are delivering on the goals of Op EUFOR ALTHEA, to ensure there is no recurrence of violence,” said the CHOD.
Commander SVK EUFOR ALTHEA Contingent Lt Col Štefan Rigas appreciated the delivery of new vehicles. “Also thanks to the new equipment, I am convinced we will discharge our duties even better.”
The Slovak Republic has been the Lead Nation (LN) for the LOT Coordination Centre (LCC) since 1 September 2012, with its Liaison and Observation Teams (LOTs) monitoring the situation across the whole of BiH. SVK personnel have been posted to NATO HQ Sarajevo and three LOTs based in Novo Sarajevo, Foča and Višegrad. As of today, there are 41 SVK personnel serving in BiH.
Established in 2004, Op EUFOR ALTHEA is the European Union’s longest military operation. Its main goals are to stabilise the security landscape of BiH, to build the capabilities of the BiH MOD and Armed Forces, and to deliver on the Dayton Agreement.
