prijava
SARAJEVO, August 30 (FENA) - EUFOR's military exercise "Quick Response 2020" was officially launched today at the Butmir base in Sarajevo.
This is a regular annual exercise to test the ability of EUFOR to rapidly strengthen its forces in BiH, using part of the reserve forces in partner countries at a high level of preparedness.
BiH Defense Minister Sifet Podžić said that the exercise is proof that EUFOR could respond to the mission assigned to it in BiH, even in extraordinary circumstances.
"In this way, the Armed Forces (AF) of BiH are testing everything they did with EUFOR, and I am especially pleased that other security agencies from BiH are participating and it is a fantastic opportunity to test our coordination, and we definitely need that," Podžić pointed out.
He stressed that the BiH Ministry of Defense and the AFBiH have continuous and strong cooperation with EUFOR through areas of coordination, training and exercises, where they gain additional knowledge and experience.
He added that the Armed Forces of BiH are participating this year with one infantry platoon, a military police department and one helicopter, and they have also made available their own structural capacities at various locations in BiH, which are necessary for successful implementation of the exercise.
EUFOR Commander in BiH Major General Reinhard Trischak pointed out that preparations for this year's exercise are much more difficult due to the circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Every soldier who participates in the exercise spent time in strict quarantine before arrival and has been tested as well.
This year, he added, they will conduct an exercise with the participation of soldiers from 20 countries and show the ability to help in maintaining a safe and stable environment.
After an excellent experience from last year's exercise, he said, this year they are organizing an exercise in all parts of BiH and in close cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Defense and the BiH Ministry of Security.
Assistant Minister of Security of BiH Samir Rizvo pointed out that the ministry and police agencies of BiH pay great attention to cooperation with EUFOR in order to ensure a stable and safe environment and manage all forms of risk.
EUFOR Operation Commander Colonel-General Brice Houdet, who addressed the gathering via video message, said he could already see the measurable benefits that their permanent forces deployed on the ground bring to BiH.
He announced that in the coming days, EUFOR will conduct a "Quick Response 2020" exercise throughout BiH to demonstrate its ability to help whenever needed.
(FENA) A. B.
