EU launches Police Mission in the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia

Summary: December 15, 2003: EU launches Police Mission in the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia (Brussels)

On 15 December 2003, the EU launches a new police mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). "EUPOL Proxima" will succeed the EU's "Concordia" peacekeeping military mission, which expires that same day. It is the second EU police mission following the "EUPM" that was launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 January 2003. "Proxima" demonstrates the EU's continued commitment to the consolidation of stability and the rule of law in the Balkans, within the objectives of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAp). The promotion of European standards of policing in FYROM is part of the EU's wider strategy of supporting the process of reform, including institution building, administrative and judicial reforms and fight against organised crime and corruption, all of which are essential for the development of a stable and democratic state. The EU, the leading donor, will spend a total of € 54 million during 2000 - 2004 to support reforms in these areas. "Proxima" is the third EU's European Security and Defence Policy operation in the Balkans and the fourth globally when including the "ARTEMIS" peacekeeping military mission successfully carried out in Bunia (Congo) over the Summer of 2003.

Proxima aims to help the FYROM authorities develop their police forces to the highest European and international standards through monitoring, mentoring and inspecting the management and operations of the police. In particular, it will focus on supporting the government's efforts to fight organised crime and to uphold the rule of law in the whole territory, with emphasis on the former crisis areas.

The total costs of the mission amount to €15 million for the first year, including set-up costs of €7.3 million, all funded through the Community budget. The EU's Member States will contribute in kind through the secondment of staff. EU police officers will wear their national police uniforms and an EU badge. They will not be armed and local police will remain responsible for executive tasks.

The European Commission services in charge of managing the CFSP budget have actively contributed to the launching of Proxima and will provide the mission with the required operational budgetary means through a contract with the head of EUPOL Proxima, Mr D'Hooge. The Commission will also provide advice and support regarding legal, administrative and financial questions, including procurement matters regarding the best use of operational funds from the EC budget.

Rule of Law in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Proxima will complement the EU priority strategy to support and consolidate the rule of law in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The EU is the leading donor in this field. In the period 2000 - 2004 a total of € 54 million will be spent from the Community budget in FYROM under the PHARE/CARDS programmes, supporting reforms in the following areas:

Administration of justice (€ 8.5 m.):

The EU is funding several projects, targeted at supporting justice and prosecution reforms. These include: support for the design and implementation of a computerised administrative support system within the Ministry of Justice, Public Prosecution Service and Courts; the development of the administrative and processing capacity of the courts and prosecutors; training of the judiciary and legal professions; and the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for the provision of vocational and compulsory training.
Police reform (€ 8 m.):

The EU has provided technical assistance to the national authorities for the development of a strategy of reform by the Ministry of Interior. Further assistance will be directed at the implementation of the reform and to the establishment and implementation of a framework for institutionalised and systematic provision of police training, in accordance with EU standards.
Integrated Border Management (€ 24.2 m.):

The strengthening of border controls and trade facilitation are key elements of the SAp. The EU has provided technical assistance for the preparation of an Integrated Border Management Strategy and will continue to assist the national authorities in its implementation. In particular, it will contribute to the planned creation of a new Border Police service. Activities aim to improve the technical capacity of the professional services in the execution of their duties with regards to the management of the state border through the supply of equipment and the creation of an integrated communications network for border control points.
Customs (€ 7.3 m.):

EU is providing assistance to administrative capacity building to help the fight against fraud, corruption and organised crime. As a result the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia benefits from improved levels of compliance, revenue collection and exposure of large-scale customs fraud.
Asylum and migration (€ 3 m.):

The EU is supporting the national authorities in the development of a National Action Plan for Migration and Asylum as well as of amendments to primary and secondary legislation pertaining to the new Law on Asylum and the development of the new Law on the Movement and Residence of Foreigners. It will also contribute to the upgrading and modernisation of the existing transit centre for illegal migrants and asylum seekers.
Fight against crime (€ 3 m.):

The EU is providing assistance in developing strategies and the necessary capabilities to combat money-laundering and drug-related crimes. Planned activities aim to strengthen the capacity of the Directorate Against Money Laundering and of financial institutions to enforce the new law on Money Laundering. Technical assistance will also be provided to the Health, Interior and Justice Ministries and the Inter-ministerial Commission in preparation of the secondary legislation on precursors and narcotics and the development of a national strategy for the fight against drugs.

Further details on EUPOL Proxima are available from:

Cristina Gallach, Spokeswoman for SG/HR Solana - 02 28 56467
Sheena Thomson, Spokeswoman for EUSR FYROM - +389 2 3222 089

Further information:

On EUPOL Proxima at:
http://www.eupol-proxima.org/

On the EU's relations with FYROM at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/fyrom/index.htm

On the Stabilisation and Association Process at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/actions/index.htm

Ref: EC03-322EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 15/12/2003

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