NEW EUFOR CHIEF OF STAFF IN CHARGE IN CAMP BUTMIR

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 13,2008) - Brigadier General Robert Löwenstein of the Luftwaffe has taken over from Brigadier Pablo Bermudo as Chief of Staff (COS) for the Commander of the EUFOR Headquarters in Sarajevo. The new COS addressed staff at Camp Butmir, and said:

“I am very honoured to take charge of this key operational role in the Balkans. EUFOR’s mission is to contribute to the safe and secure environment in Bosnia . My task as Chief of Staff to the Commander, General Villalain, is to manage EUFOR’s military operations and enable the handover of more and more responsibility to the country’s own armed forces and other respective agencies.

“Our ongoing military presence in Bosnia is allowing the International Community to carry out their responsibilities effectively, including the support of the Bosnian authorities in the fight against organized crime as well as the support to the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. This international commitment to a long-term stability in the country and the region has the visible support of our presence. I am looking forward to working closely and trustfully with the armed forces and other agencies in the country,” Löwenstein said.
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