The operation code-named Althea will be the largest military mission undertaken by the European Union. It will support the EU's long-term goal of establishing a stable, viable, peaceful and multiethnic Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will peacefully cooperate with its neighbours on the irreversible path to EU membership, the ministers said at a meeting in Luxembourg.
The EU Council extended the mandate of the European police mission in Macedonia (EUPOL PROXIMA) for another year. The purpose of the mission, whose present mandate expires on December 15, is to assist in the development of an efficient and professional police service in Macedonia in accordance with European standards.