O'Dea to visit Irish troops in Bosnia

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea is to make a three-day visit to Irish troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina next week.

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea is to make a three-day visit to Irish troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina next week.

More than 40 Irish personnel are stationed there as staff officers or as part of the military police and weapons-verification teams. Ireland has participated in the EU-led mission in the region since 1997.

Mr O'Dea and his officials will hold meetings with international military and diplomatic figures. He is also expected to be briefed on the security situation in relation to Irish troops.

There are a total of 7,000 troops serving with the Eurfor mission, which are provided by 22 EU member states and 11 non-EU states.

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Another 300 Irish troops are among the 17-000 strong Eufor contingent in neighbouring Kosovo.

Bosnia-Herzegovina is currently an EU candidate country.

PA