Today at Camp Butmir, EUFOR officially appointed Brigadier General Tibor Szabo of the Hungarian Armed Forces as the new Chief of Staff (COS) of EUFOR. With a distinguished record of service in numerous international operations, Brigadier General Szabo now joins the EUFOR Command Group alongside COM EUFOR Major General Florin Marian Barbu and DCOM EUFOR Brigadier General Uberto Incisa di Camerana. He assumes the responsibilities previously held by Brigadier General Herbert Sailer of the Austrian Armed Forces.
In his address, COM EUFOR Major General Barbu expressed gratitude to Brigadier General Sailer for his extraordinary dedication, clarity of purpose, and exceptional leadership:
“Brigadier General Sailer, I want to personally thank you not only for your outstanding tour of mission but also for the camaraderie and trust you have shown throughout your time here. Your way of doing things leaves a lasting legacy that will be remembered long beyond your departure.”
Major General Barbu also warmly welcomed Brigadier General Szabo to his new role, emphasizing his vast experience and the importance of his position within EUFOR’s leadership team:
“Brigadier General Szabo, you have my full trust and confidence, and I know the entire EUFOR team stands ready to support you as we continue our work in Bosnia and Herzegovina — with unity, clarity, and shared purpose.”
In his farewell speech, Brigadier General Sailer thanked the EUFOR leadership team and staff for their support and expressed gratitude to the Operation Commander for his guidance, stating: “Now at the end of my tour, I do believe that I managed to carry out the promise I made a year ago, to continue the work started by my predecessor and implement the intent provided by Lieutenant General Cottereau, the Operation ALTHEA commander, and by EUFOR commanders. Today the European Union Force is better, more focused, and more ready than ever to continue implementing its role, mandate, and mission — to support the local authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment.”
The incoming Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Szabo, expressed his honor and gratitude for his new appointment. He also thanked Brigadier General Sailer and his team for their support. Addressing his new responsibilities, he stated:
“It is both a great personal and professional honor to assume the position of Chief of Staff in EUFOR ALTHEA. This mission represents not only the European Union’s ongoing commitment to the peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also the collective responsibility we share for safeguarding security on the European continent. I am sincerely committed to cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Armed Forces and I look forward to working closely with them. Through cooperation, we will show what partnership can achieve - and I am committed to contributing to this shared success.”
The establishment of the Chief of Staff position reinforces EUFOR’s commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities in support of Bosnia and Herzegovina. EUFOR remains a steadfast, capable, and reliable partner in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all the people of BiH.