Toespraak Commandant der Strijdkrachten generaal Eichelsheim bij onthulling gedenksteen Camp Butmir in Bosnië
De toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
General-Major Barbu, Your Excellency, Colleagues,
Today, I would like to commemorate and honour the Dutch soldiers who served here in the past and are no longer with us.
We are unveiling this monument in memory of those who lost their lives or were wounded… physically or mentally… in this country.
This is important for their families and loved ones… and for the veterans who wish to honour their fallen comrades and their time here.
I too have a personal connection with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thirty years ago, I was posted here as a helicopter pilot.
Like many veterans who served in this area, I witnessed terrible things first-hand.
And we were not always able to intervene in the way that we wanted to.
At the same time, we loved this beautiful country and its people…
we wanted to support its freedom and safety.
We still do, to this day.
Many of the 52,000 Dutch soldiers who served in Bosnia and Herzegovina would agree with me.
Many of these troops have served here on more than one occasion.
Some were here in the 1990s are here again today.
Now that’s loyalty: showing up for your allies in both war and peace.
It exemplifies how the Dutch have been part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history since Yugoslavia fell apart in 1991.
Prior to this tragic turning point, the Dutch knew the region as a popular holiday destination.
They loved the beautiful scenery, delicious food and friendly people – not to mention the affordable prices J
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Dutch soldiers who came here found a different country.
They witnessed extreme ethnic violence between former friends and neighbours. Some people no longer considered their fellow countrymen to be human.
In response to this violence, the European Union developed a Common Security and Defence Policy with a mandate from the United Nations Security Council.
Since then, the Netherlands Armed Forces have contributed to 25 international missions here.
From the European Community Monitoring Mission in ’91… to UNPROFOR in ’92… IFOR in ’95… and SFOR in ’96.
Although Dutch troops were serving in the name of peace, they became part of one of the darkest moments of this country’s history…
the fall of Srebrenica.
And beyond Srebrenica, there were more acts of violence that destroyed not only lives, but also people’s faith in humanity.
This has led to physical and mental injuries among the local population and veterans alike.
That is why it is so important that our allies remain loyal.
In 2004, the European Union took over from NATO with EUFOR Althea.
Its mandate still stands.
It is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of special significance to the Netherlands.
We respect its aspirations for a peaceful future and acknowledge the suffering of the past.
Every year, groups of Dutch veterans return here, often with their families, to revisit the place that left a lasting impression on them.
In May this year, a delegation from the Dutch parliament was invited to accompany some of the veterans.
During their visit, they met a man named Osman Avdic.
Allow me to share his story with you.
Osman lived in Srebrenica in 1995, under horrible conditions.
There was a shortage of clean water, medicine and food.
In these most desperate of times, people resorted to eating leaves from trees and bushes.
Osman slept on a metal door in a house that he shared with 50 others.
He was captured by Bosnian Serbs during the terrible events of July that year.
One of the Serbian soldiers recognised him.
He turned out to be a former neighbour.
The soldier put Osman on a bus carrying women and children to a safe area.
This saved his life.
Osman is now married, has two children, and works as a police officer in Sarajevo.
His story moved Dutch veterans and politicians alike.
The fact that Osman is alive today proves that, even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope.
This is something we should celebrate, especially during the Christmas period.
It is also important to bear this in mind as we look to the future.
This country remains fragile.
The Russian Federation is just one of the nations seeking to increase its influence in the region.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s army is not yet capable of independently ensuring the safety of its people if violence is triggered by internal or external pressure.
Therefore, the important work that you’re doing here is clearly not yet finished.
This is why, in March, EUFOR Althea was reinforced with extra troops.
Later, in October, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend the EUFOR mandate.
EUFOR needs to maintain a visible and noticeable presence to show the local population that the EU and the wider international community are doing everything they can to keep them safe.
This is in all our interests, both national and European.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s borders are also our borders.
This monument honours the Dutch peacekeepers who returned home wounded… and those who did not return at all.
It also affirms our commitment to promoting peace and stability.
It reminds us of the task that lies ahead.
We must act today to ensure that we have no regrets tomorrow.
EUFOR is a prime example of what we are doing today.
Your united presence helps to maintain peace and freedom.
It protects democracy and the rule of law.
You support the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina and deter those who fuel division and fear.
This will enable people to carry on treating each other with humanity in the future.
Osman Avdic’s story shows us that such a future is difficult – but not impossible.
Your presence here gives people like Osman – and his children – hope for a better future.
You are here for these people, even during the holidays.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend you for the great job you’re doing, and to wish you all the best for 2026 and thank you for your service.