News item | 23-01-2024 | 17:37
The Dutch marines in Bosnia and Herzegovina received a visit yesterday from outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The meeting was part of a 2-day trip. Rutte also visited Srebrenica and Croatia.
The Prime Minister received a reception ceremony at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo from the Dutch troops participating in the Eufor Althea mission. Rutte dined there with the military, among others.
In the Eufor Althea mission, the Netherlands, together with 20 other countries, contributes to stability in the Western Balkans. There are many tensions between the different ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia is trying to use this unrest to increase its influence in the country.
Last October, the Netherlands sent 150 soldiers to Bosnia and Herzegovina for 1 year to contribute to the EU-led military mission.
Wreath laying in Srebrenica
Rutte also visited the cemetery in Screbrenica by helicopter. He laid a wreath there.
In the adjacent memorial center he talked to the Mothers of Srebrenica. These are relatives of the genocide that took place in the area in 1995.