Under the European Peace Facility (EPF), the European Council has adopted an assistance measure worth €6 million to the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF). The assistance measure will support capacity building for the BMTF by procuring the necessary equipment and materials for the medical units participating in the BMTF from the armed forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

The aim of the measure is to strengthen the military medical capabilities of the region and civilian relief efforts, and ultimately contribute to regional cooperation and cohesion. In order to achieve its objective, the assistance measure will finance mobility assets, components for field hospitals, laboratory equipment and supplies, and IT and communication equipment. The assistance was requested on behalf of the BMTF by the Republic of North Macedonia in April.

The EPF was created in 2021 to support partners around the world with defence, with the ultimate aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. The BMTF was set up as a regional initiative bringing together six participating countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia – with the aim of providing a quick and effective response to disaster-struck countries or regions by using participating nations’ existing military medical capacities.