UPDATE - Bosnia demands increase in European Union peacekeeping mission troops

ADDS REMARKS FROM SERB LEADER

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday demanded an increase in the number of soldiers in the European Union Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea (EUFOR Althea), the EU’s peacekeeping mission in the country.

The move came after the Bosniak member of the Presidency Council, Denis Becirovic, met with EUFOR Commander Maj. Gen. Helmut Habermeyer in the capital Sarajevo.

Becirovic said the recent separatist rhetoric of Serb leader Milorad Dodik, the president of the Republika Srpska entity, has caused a need for more troops.

"We demand EUFOR to increase the number of soldiers in the country as soon as possible. EUFOR is on a mission to guarantee the security and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina,'' said Becirovic, according to the statement.

Habermayer said EUFOR units closely follow developments and it is in close contact with institutions.

However, Serb member of the Presidential Council Zeljka Cvijanovic said it is unnecessary to increase the number of troops.

"There is no security problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it is unnecessary to increase the number of EUFOR soldiers,'' said Cvijanovic.

She added that Becirovic's statements were "cheap" and problems in the country could be resolved through dialogue.

Operation Althea is a military deployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was established in 2004 to oversee the military implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and ensure security in the country.

The Netherlands earlier this month announced that it will send 160 soldiers to EUFOR.