European Union
Brussels, 10 June 2005
S212/05
Signature of an agreement on Argentina's participation
in Operation ALTHEA
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP),
and the Argentinean Ambassador to the EU, Jorge REMES LENICOV, signed an agreement on the
participation of Argentina in Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Operation ALTHEA is the first EU military operation in which Argentina is participating. The
Argentine Republic is next to Chile the only South American country to participate in Operation
ALTHEA. Argentina already participated in SFOR, from which ALTHEA took over in December
2004.
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On 25 November 2004, the EU Council adopted the decision to launch Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BiH). This decision follows the unanimous adoption on 22 November2004 of UN Security Council Resolution 1575 and
enabled the EU to launch Operation Althea on 2 December 2004. NATO decided to conclude its SFOR operation by the
end of 2004.
Operation Althea is the largest in size ever launched by the EU, with 7,000 troops from 22 EU Member States and 11
third countries. It adds in a significant way to the EU's political engagement, its assistance programmes and its
ongoing police and monitoring missions with a view to helping BiH make further progress towards European
integration in the context of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
The EU force (EUFOR) has the main peace stabilisation role under the military aspects of the Paris/Dayton General
Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. The force also provides support, within means and capabilities, to the efforts
of High Representative Paddy Ashdown and of the international community, in fields such as the fight against
organised crime and the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Peace Agreement.
General Sir John Reith, Deputy SACEUR, has been appointed Operation Commander. Major-General David Leakey
has been appointed EUFOR Force Commander.
More information is available on the EUFOR-ALTHEA web site
www.euforbih.org.
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FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP
+ 32 (0)2 285 6467 / 6217 / 8239 / 5150/ 5151 + 32 (0)2 285 5694
internet:
ue.eu.int/solana
e-mail:
presse.cabinet@consilium.eu.int
