EU-defensiemacht klaar voor missie in Bosnië (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU on Thursday will take over from NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), its most ambitious military mission to date.

Code-named Althea, the mission will see 7,000 troops deployed under EU command, in a bid to ensure stability in the country.

Far wider in scope than previous EU missions, military officials are painting Althea as a benchmark in the development of the EU's security policy.

The next biggest mission in size, to the Democratic Republic of Congo last year, saw around 1,500 troops in action.

"This is a large step...this one is much more large and complex", Operational Commander John Reith said on Tuesday.

Ethnic tensions

But the likelihood of the EU having to face the same ethnic conflict which prompted NATO to deploy 60,000 in the early 1990's is unlikely, say officials.

"The entities neither have the capabilities nor the will to go back to conflict", Commander Reith said.

Some 250,000 people are thought to have died during fighting between Croats, Muslims and Serbs between 1992-1995.

But security threats remain with weapons smuggling, extremist religious groups and border security all major problems.

The politically sensitive and so far tricky task of apprehending indicted war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic will now fall to the EU - with some help from NATO.

Council Director of security and defence policy Peiter Feith said that there would be no easing of the hunt for the two men.

Asked if the EU could conceivably finish the mission without apprehending some suspects, Mr Feith said, "I cannot leave you with promises ... but I think it's highly unlikely".

The tool box

To combat these threats, the EU now finds itself with a range of military, police and political capabilities, unparalleled for an EU mission.

But "the proliferation of EU agencies and bodies" in Bosnia could also test structures according to Dr Gerrard Quille of the Executive Director of ISIS Europe.

The European Parliament - which enjoys oversight over civilian aspects of the mission - also seeks to increase its say in this joint civilian-military mission, which it says are inseparable.

But, Dr Quille says, the complex strictures for NATO and EU co-operation could be the biggest test.

"The main challenge is the successful and peaceful transfer from EU to NATO, even if the same number of troops will be on the ground".

The mission is expected to cost 71 million euro.