Bosnia-Herzegovina Moves to Withdraw Hungarian Troops Amid Tensions
Following perceived interference from the Hungarian government, Bosnia-Herzegovina's leadership calls for the removal of Hungarian military presence in the country.
Bosnia-Herzegovina's government has taken steps to pursue the removal of Hungarian troops from its territory, citing concerns over intervention by the Hungarian administration in internal affairs.
Željko Komšić, a member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite presidency representing the Croatian constituency, informed the Hungarian ambassador of the government's intentions to initiate the withdrawal of Hungarian forces currently serving in the EUFOR mission.
The consideration for such a significant action comes shortly after the completion of General László Sticz's command of EUFOR Althea on January 21 this year.
Under his leadership, EUFOR Althea became the third largest military mission in the history of the European Union, and Sticz was the first Hungarian officer to lead this EU peacekeeping operation.
The number of Hungarian personnel stationed in Bosnia-Herzegovina was increased to nearly 400 as of last January.
In recent developments, Milorad Dodik, president of the Serbian-dominated entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, signed legislation aimed at decoupling local Serbian judicial authorities from federal authority.
This move follows a mid-January ruling by Sarajevo's federal court finding Dodik guilty of violating decisions of the international high representative, leading to a one-year prison sentence.
Dodik, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has received significant support from Hungary, particularly in light of the economic difficulties facing the Republika Srpska, the Serbian-majority region of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Following the court verdict, Orbán was among the first to reach out to Dodik by phone.
Relations between Budapest and the Sarajevo federal government have become increasingly strained, especially after a flight carrying Hungary's state secretary for foreign affairs, Hungarian Levente, was barred from landing in Bosnia.
This followed public comments by the state secretary expressing support for Dodik and deeming the judicial proceedings against him politically motivated.
Consequently, Bosnia-Herzegovina's authorities summoned the Hungarian ambassador for clarification.
During this meeting, Kristián Pósa, the Hungarian ambassador, was informed that Bosnia-Herzegovina would no longer approve the entry of Hungarian military and police units into the country.
Additionally, the Bosnian leadership indicated plans to formally request the withdrawal of the Hungarian contingent from the EUFOR peacekeeping mission, particularly concerning remarks made by the deputy foreign minister suggesting Hungary might intervene in the event of conflict in Bosnia.
Željko Komšić, a member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite presidency representing the Croatian constituency, informed the Hungarian ambassador of the government's intentions to initiate the withdrawal of Hungarian forces currently serving in the EUFOR mission.
The consideration for such a significant action comes shortly after the completion of General László Sticz's command of EUFOR Althea on January 21 this year.
Under his leadership, EUFOR Althea became the third largest military mission in the history of the European Union, and Sticz was the first Hungarian officer to lead this EU peacekeeping operation.
The number of Hungarian personnel stationed in Bosnia-Herzegovina was increased to nearly 400 as of last January.
In recent developments, Milorad Dodik, president of the Serbian-dominated entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, signed legislation aimed at decoupling local Serbian judicial authorities from federal authority.
This move follows a mid-January ruling by Sarajevo's federal court finding Dodik guilty of violating decisions of the international high representative, leading to a one-year prison sentence.
Dodik, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has received significant support from Hungary, particularly in light of the economic difficulties facing the Republika Srpska, the Serbian-majority region of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Following the court verdict, Orbán was among the first to reach out to Dodik by phone.
Relations between Budapest and the Sarajevo federal government have become increasingly strained, especially after a flight carrying Hungary's state secretary for foreign affairs, Hungarian Levente, was barred from landing in Bosnia.
This followed public comments by the state secretary expressing support for Dodik and deeming the judicial proceedings against him politically motivated.
Consequently, Bosnia-Herzegovina's authorities summoned the Hungarian ambassador for clarification.
During this meeting, Kristián Pósa, the Hungarian ambassador, was informed that Bosnia-Herzegovina would no longer approve the entry of Hungarian military and police units into the country.
Additionally, the Bosnian leadership indicated plans to formally request the withdrawal of the Hungarian contingent from the EUFOR peacekeeping mission, particularly concerning remarks made by the deputy foreign minister suggesting Hungary might intervene in the event of conflict in Bosnia.
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