LONDON, March 1 (UPI) -- The British government will pull out the 600 troops stationed in Bosnia-Herzegovina by the end of April.
Announcing the withdrawal in London Thursday, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said the security situation in the country is approaching normality, thereby necessitating the return of the troops, mostly Welsh Guards.
"Significant steps in defense reform have been made resulting in the establishment of a single, multi-ethnic military force which is compatible with NATO," Ingram said.
The minister said progress in the region had been moving rapidly. Parliamentary and presidential elections had taken place last year and had been "judged to be free and fair."
"Perhaps most importantly, the majority of people displaced from their homes during the war have chosen to return," Ingram added.
This withdrawal would bring an end to over 15 years of British presence in the region. "The time is right to reassess the role of the international military presence," the minister said.
The British forces are in Bosnia as part of a plan called "The European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina." Member states of the European Union Wednesday announced a significant reduction of forces in Bosnia, in light of the continually improving security situation.
Despite the proposed withdrawal, a small number of British staff officers are to remain at the Sarajevo-based military headquarters of the EU.
