EU, NATO to reduce troops in Bosnia

Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2007 09:25

European Union and NATO defense chiefs have gathered in Germany to discuss the situation in Bosnia. They are also searching for agreement on the number of NATO troops there.

Defense ministers from the 27 EU nations, as well as EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, are assessing current security policy issues during the two-day, informal meeting in Wiesbaden. NATO secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, was also invited to attend the first working day on Thursday.

One of the main items on the agenda is to discuss troop reductions in Bosnia. The EU has ruled out the possibility of a complete withdrawal in the immediate future.

Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, said, "We still have some problems of political nature

but not on security. That's why we have now allowed to (lower) the forces but maintain the political activity in the country."

Host Germany, which holds the EU rotating presidency has defended this week's decision to begin winding down a European peace mission in Bosnia from 6,000 troops to 2,500. But it also remains cautious about the timing of a complete pull-out.

Franz Josef Jung, German Defense Minister, said, "We all share the view that the troop reduction in Bosnia-Herzegovina will happen in a four-stage plan. Following elections on October 1st and after there is a government there we assume the situation will be stable. However, we will keep monitoring further developments. The goal is now in a first phase to reduce the number of soldiers by 3,500."

During the meeting, defense ministers are also discussing the EU's military capabilities, as well as other topics. Among them, cooperation between the bloc and the United Nations and promoting development of its own military capabilities.

Editor:Du Xiaodan