In 2004, Operation Althea took over from the NATO peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the launch of Operation Althea marks the beginning of a new phase in its recovery its transition from the era of Dayton to the era of Brussels.

On 11 October 2004, the General Affairs and External Relations Council approved the operational plan for Operation Althea, the largest European led military operation so far.

On 2 December 2004, NATO successfully terminated the mission of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) and the European Union launched the European Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea.

Since the Council last considered the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in November 2004, the European Union's European Force (EUFOR), Operation Althea, has taken over from the Stabilization Force (SFOR), in what has been recognized by the international community as a seamless transition.

Those actions, almost 10 years after the beginning of the implementation process of the Dayton and Paris Agreements, clearly demonstrate that progress has been made in that area, and we feel that Operation Althea marks the beginning of a new phase in the recovery of the country.