European Union foreign ministers have agreed to expand the work of the bloc’s military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovnia to to include training of the country's security forces.
 
The ministers agreed at a meeting on January 25 2010 that reform in the security area "is an important part of the integral reform process" in Bosnia, and that the EU's involvement in training tasks "could help to strengthen local capacity".
 
Operation Althea, involving 2500 people, will meanwhile continue its work to maintain security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
"The Council (of foreign ministers) reiterated its full support for the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and confirmed that Operation Althea was an important part of the EU's comprehensive efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support a political process aimed at enabling (the country), on the basis of the necessary reforms, to continue to move forward in the EU integration process," according to a resolution adopted at the meeting.
 
"The EU underlined its commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the Dayton/Paris Peace Agreement."
 
The EU foreign ministers also declared strong support forthe High Representative/EUSR Valentin Inzko and called on all parties in BiH to comply with all decisions taken by him and not to seek to challenge his authority, the statement said.
 
The Council "recalled the decisive progress" made by Operation Althea towards accomplishing its mandate and in particular the completion of the military and stabilisation tasks provided for by the Dayton/Paris Peace Agreement; and underlined Operation Althea's significant contribution to the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
"Building on these achievements, the Council decided to start providing non-executive capacity-building and training support, within the framework of the Operation, subject to the completion of the necessary arrangements.
 
"The Council underlined in this context that security sector reform was an important part of the overall reform process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where EU military engagement through non-executive capacity-building and training tasks would contribute to strengthening local ownership and capacity," the statement said.