Press release 15 May 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Swedish operation in Chad to be extended

The Government will today submit a proposal to the Riksdag to extend the Swedish contribution to the EU military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. The Bill proposes that the Swedish operation be extended to October 2008.

"Swedish soldiers have done an excellent job. The extension means that Sweden can continue to contribute to the EU operation, whose peace-support work is central to refugees, internally displaced persons and the civilian population in the areas protected by the operation," says Gunilla Carlsson, who stood in for Carl Bildt at the government meeting.

Facts about the EU operation

The EU operation in Chad and the Central African Republic goes under the name EUFOR Chad/RCA and has been in place since February this year. The operation will consist of 3700 soldiers who are to help to protect the civilian population and refugees in eastern Chad. The EU operation also has the task of protecting UN personnel on site as part of the MINURCAT police operation. The EU operation is planned to continue until the middle of March 2009.