The launch of ALTHEA, the EU Force in BiH, marks the beginning of a new phase in BiH’s recovery, its transition from the era of Dayton to the era of Brussels. The EU force will work in unison with the EUSR/HR, the EUPM, the EUMM, and the European Commission’s assistance programmes to support the Stabilisation and Association process and the OHR’s Mission Implementation Plan.

The EU Force will reinforce the EU's comprehensive approach towards BiH, and support BiH's progress towards EU integration by its own efforts. It will have full authority to fulfil the role specified in Annexes 1A and 2 of the Paris/Dayton Agreement and contribute to a safe and secure environment in BiH, and it will deploy at the same force level and with similar resources as SFOR on its departure, that is, with around 7,000 troops.

There is no end-date for the EU force, but the Council of the EU will review the EU Force’s mandate by the end of 2005, in light of security and political developments.