Major General Sticz was the first Hungarian soldier to lead the peacekeeping operation EUFOR Althea.Continue reading
The reserve squadron of the Hungarian Defense Forces, as part of the European Union’s peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR ALTHEA, is back on duty in Sarajevo, honvedelem.hu reports, citing a statement by the Ministry of Defense.
Hungary is taking turns with Austria in this task, alternating annually. The Hungarian unit – the backbone of which is formed by the soldiers of the 14th Technical Regiment “Rákóczi Ferenc” – is tasked with helping to maintain local security, ensuring free movement between areas of the country, and participating in joint patrols and exercises with soldiers from other nations.
The Hungarian soldiers form a separate unit that is not involved in day-to-day tasks in peacetime, but can be deployed quickly if necessary, for instance for major exercises or if the security situation requires reinforcements.
The Hungarian force that has just arrived has been on standby status since March, awaiting deployment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while undergoing intensive training and preparation.
The soldiers are currently stationed at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo, where they are working with Romanian, Czech, and other allied forces. Their common mission is to maintain peace and stability in the Western Balkans, a region whose security is of paramount importance to Hungary, as peace in the region is one of the pillars of European security, reads the statement. The Western Balkans are not only one of the main migration routes to Europe, but tensions in the region can also have a direct impact on the security of Hungary, they added.
Hungary has been continuously involved in the EU peace mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2004.
The importance of Hungary’s involvement is demonstrated by the fact that in 2024, the EUFOR mission was led for the first time by a Hungarian general, Major General Dr. László Sticz.
From May this year, Brigadier General Tibor Szabó will take up the role of Chief of Operations, and from next year, the Deputy Commander will also be Hungarian.
The presence of the Hungarian unit will further strengthen the peacekeeping mission and contribute to maintaining security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressed the statement.
Via honvedelem.hu, Featured image: Facebook/MH II. Rákóczi Ferenc 14. Műszaki Ezred