Hungarian Command of the EUFOR Mission Proves Successful
February 18, 2025
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Hungarian soldiers have gained international appreciation and recognition for their work during the Hungarian command year of EUFOR Althea, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Monday at the Bálna Defense Center in Budapest.
In January 2024, for the first time, a Hungarian soldier took over the leadership of the European Union’s peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR Althea. Major General László Sticz was in charge of 24 national troops, including the increased Hungarian contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the ceremony marking the end of the Hungarian year in command of EUFOR Althea and the return of EUFOR personnel, the Defense Minister stressed that the soldiers participating in EUFOR Althea had been deployed in the Western Balkans, perhaps the most important region for Hungarian security interests.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. Photo: MTI/Balogh Zoltán
Mr. Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed out that several wars had broken out in this region, and that ethnic, religious, economic, and political tensions were still affecting the region, whose stability was a key issue for Hungary.
He recalled that after the end of the Yugoslav Wars, Hungarian soldiers were immediately deployed in the region, first in the NATO-led IFOR (Implementation Force) and then SFOR (Stabilization Force), but in addition to almost three decades of military service, they have also played a role in ensuring stability in the region, for example through humanitarian work, infrastructure development, and flood protection.
Photo: MTI/Balogh Zoltán
The minister said it was a source of great pride that there had been a Hungarian commander of the EUFOR mission for the past year. He pointed out that the Hungarian soldiers and Commander László Sticz have proven to be excellent, reliable, predictable, firm allies and partners of this region.
Through this, Hungarian soldiers have gained international respect and recognition,”
he added.
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He said that Hungary’s involvement in the region will not end there:
from May, a Hungarian chief officer will become the Chief of Staff of EUFOR Althea, and from March 2026, a Hungarian soldier will take up the position of Deputy Commander.
The minister thanked the soldiers for their service.
Major General László Sticz, the returning Commander of EUFOR Althea, said that the feedback from the Bosnian leadership and the international community confirms that they have successfully completed their tasks. He added that the personnel contributed to the success of the Hungarian command by giving their best.
Colonel General Böröndi and Major General Sticz (L-R). Photo: Honvédelem.hu
At the ceremony, László Sticz handed over flags to Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the Defense Staff, which had been flying at the camp in Butmir, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Fact
Operation Althea, or formally known as EUFOR (European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina), is an international force operating under the authority of the European Council. The military operation was launched on December 2, 2004, nine years after the Bosnian War, with the main task of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hungary offered to lead EUFOR Althea in January 2024, for the first time. During the Hungarian year of command, the Hungarian Defense Forces and its assets were heavily deployed in the EUFOR Althea mission, for instance to provide medical rescue capabilities, where they also used their high-tech Airbus helicopters.
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EUFOR Mission Commander Earns International Recognition
Major General Sticz was the first Hungarian soldier to lead the peacekeeping operation EUFOR Althea.Continue reading
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