Four nations in EU Bosnia force

Four nations in EU Bosnia force

"The Multinational Manoeuvre Battalion to be based in Camp Butmir near Sarajevo has just arrived in the area in its complete strength and has started training," EUFOR chief spokesman Achim Winkler told a news conference.

Winkler said the battalion would be the cornerstone of the new peace force structure, which was endorsed by the EU at the end of February, along with the integrated police unit and monitors located across the Balkan country.

Countries such as Turkey and Morocco have troops in Bosnia which come under EU command.

Winkler said the force has started reducing its troops in the towns of Mostar, Banja Luka and Tuzla before handing over the camps to local authorities over the next six months.

U.S. troops withdrew last year from the Tuzla base, with few officers deployed as support to the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo. The 600-man British contingent began withdrawing from Banja Luka earlier this month.

EU officials have said the improved security situation in Bosnia has allowed it to start the EUFOR transition plan. But they cautioned that a 16,000-strong NATO force deployed in the U.N.-administered province of Kosovo can easily move to Bosnia if needed.