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Last update: 06-Dec-2004 12:21 NATO Update

2 Dec. 2004

 

NATO ends SFOR mission

News
02/12/2004 - NATO
NATO’s future role in Bosnia and Herzegovina
01/12/2004 - NATO
NATO Secretary General to visit Sarajevo
29/06/2004 - NATO
SFOR to be terminated at the end of the year
Background
NATO-EU: A strategic partnership
Opinions
02/12/2004 - NATO
Speech by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
02/12/2004 - NATO
Speech by the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, M. Borislav Paravac
02/12/2004 - NATO
Speech by M. Javier Solana, EU High Respresentative
02/12/2004 - NATO
Press conference with M. Javier Solana, EU High Respresentative and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
Winter edition of NATO Review
Historic change in the Balkans
Multimedia

High resolution photos of the ceremony

NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 9 years of supporting peace .wmv/2785kb
Transfer of Authority ceremony
.wmv/2458kb
02/12/2004 - NATO
Audio file of the speech by the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, M. Borislav Paravac (MP3/2933kb)
02/12/2004 - NATO
Audio file of the speech by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the SFOR transfer of authority ceremony (MP3/3569kb)
02/12/2004 - NATO
Audio file of the speech by M. Javier Solana, EU High Respresentative at the SFOR transfer of authority ceremony (MP3/2659kb)
02/12/2004 - NATO
Audio file of the press conference with M. Javier Solana, EU High Respresentative and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (MP3/10819kb)
December wallpaper: NATO ends SFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
E-cards on the end of the SFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
PDF Library
Nov. 2004
NATO Briefing: Bringing peace and stability to the Balkans (.PDF/1057 Kb)
Links
NATO Headquarters Sarajevo
SFOR website
A ceremony in Sarajevo on 2 December marked the historic conclusion of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the launch of the European Union’s follow-on EUFOR.

SFOR has been brought to a successful end almost exactly nine years since NATO deployed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995 in what was the Alliance’s first peacekeeping operation.

The decision reflects the improved security situation in the country.

Today is truly a day for celebration – for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also for the wider international community,” NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer said in a speech at the handover ceremony.

He said the progress the country had made was unimaginable in the early 1990s. People no longer lived in fear, state institutions had been established and there was respect of human rights.

Goodbye to SFOR, but not to Sarajevo

The successful termination of SFOR does not spell the end of NATO’s engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While the European Union assumes responsibility for peacekeeping operations, NATO will maintain a headquarters in Sarajevo to assist the country with defence reform.

It will also carry out some operational tasks, in co-ordination with the European Union. This will include counter-terrorism and assistance in apprehending persons indicted for war crimes.

The handover was also proof of the “developing cooperation between NATO and the European Union”, Mr. De Hoop Scheffer said.

The 7,000-strong EUFOR mission will be supported by NATO under the so-called ‘Berlin Plus’ arrangements that provide the framework for NATO-EU cooperation.

The ceremony, held at SFOR Headquarters, saw the mission’s flag replaced by the flag of EUFOR and the formal establishment of NATO’s new headquarters in Sarajevo.