On 21 January 2025, EUFOR held their Change of Command ceremony to mark the handover of command from Major General László Sticz of the Hungarian Defence Forces to Major General Florin Barbu of the Romanian Armed Forces.
The ceremony was held in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo and was attended by prominent military and civilian members of the national and international community. The EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lieutenant General Hubert Cottereau presided over the ceremony. The event marked the end of the Hungarian command year of EUFOR and the beginning of the Romanian one.
The ceremony included a number of awards to outgoing Major General László Sticz from the Operation Commander EUFOR, Minister of Defence BiH, Mr. Zukan Helez, and the Italian Ambassador to BiH, H.E Sarah Eti Catellani, the Romanian CHOD, General Gheorghiță Vlad and DCOM EUFOR, Brigadier General Lorenzo Dal Maso. Speeches were delivered by the EU Special Representative, H.E Luigi Soreca, Operation Commander EUFOR and by both outgoing and incoming commanders. The Armed Forces of BiH band played music throughout the ceremony to an excellent standard. The ceremony was closed with a military march.
In his address, Major General László Sticz highlighted the various activities EUFOR had completed during his time in command. Such activities included the deployment of the Reserve Force on two separate occasions, in April and September. He also mentioned the work EUFOR had done in strengthening its ability to assist local authorities and organizations to respond to incidents such as the flooding in October or search and rescue operations. He thanked both the national and international colleagues that had supported him during his time in command of EUFOR and outlined the importance of such support.
The Lieutenant General Hubert Cottereau thanked Major General László Sticz for his leadership and professionalism and congratulated the Hungarian Contingent on the excellent work done. He also expressed his good wishes and support to the incoming EUFOR Commander, Major General Florin Barbu and the Romanian contingent.
Major General Florin Barbu congratulated Major General László Sticz on his achievements, highlighting his dedication and professionalism. He outlined his anticipation to take over as Commander of EUFOR and noted that he looked forward to the coming year.
EU Special Representative, H.E. Luigi Soreca, addressed the ceremony beginning with his thanks to Major General László Sticz for his hard work and support in the past year. He also wished the new commander, Major General Florin Barbu great success during his tenure.
National representatives, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the international community attended. Those included Chairperson of the Joint Commission for Defence and Security of BiH, Mr Jasmin Imamović, Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH, Mr. Boško Šiljegović, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Mr. Kemal Ademović, Deputy Minister of Security Ivica Bošnjak, Hungarian Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr Tamás Vargha, State Secretary in the Romanian Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Simona Cojocaru, High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Schmidt, Chief of the General Staff of the Moldavian National Army, General Vitalie Micov, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defense Forces ,Lieutenant General Ferenc Kajári, Deputy Commander JFC Naples, Lieutenant General Peter K. Scott and Commander NATO HQ Sarajevo, Brigadier General Matthew Valas.
The ceremony marked the official handover of command from the Hungarian Contingent to the Romanian Contingent. All of us at EUFOR wish Major General László Sticz and the departing members of the Hungarian contingent a safe return home and all the success with their future careers.