17/1/2003
EU Police Mission takes Over in Bosnia/Herzegovina

High Representative Solana this week launched the European Union Police Mission in Sarajevo (EUPM). Following the end of the mandate of the UN international police mission (IPTF) on December 31, its mission, is to advise and monitor the activities of the Bosnian police.

The EUPM will thereby contribute to stronger institutional structures in Bosnia Herzegovina and, by promoting the notions of the rule of law, multi-ethnicity and transparency, to the consolidation of a viable and democratic state.

The EUPM is also the first civilian operation to be mounted under the EU's European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) and thus represents a major step forward for European integration. With this new involvement in the western Balkans, the EU is demonstrating its resolve and ability to
prevent conflicts, which it affirmed at the European council in Laeken (December2001).