Summary: December 14, 2004: Extension of the EU police mission PROXIMA in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Appointment of new Head of Mission (Brussels)
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), made the following comments on the occasion of the extension for one year of the EU police mission PROXIMA in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and the appointment of a new Head of mission:
"In response to a request by the Skopje Government, the European Union is extending its police mission PROXIMA for another year. Building on the achievements of the first year, PROXIMA will continue to support the development of an efficient and professional police service based on European standards, in full partnership with the Government.
I am also delighted to be able to announce the appointment of a new PROXIMA Head of Mission, Brigadier General Jürgen Scholz. In the accomplishment of his tasks, he will have my full support and that of the European Union as a whole."
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On 15 December 2004, the European Union will extend its police mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, EUPOL PROXIMA, for another 12 months after the expiration of the current mandate . The decision follows an invitation from Prime Minister Hari Kostov, on 1 October 2004.
Under the political guidance of the EU Special Representative in Skopje, Ambassador Michael Sahlin, and in partnership with the host Government authorities, PROXIMA police experts will continue to monitor, mentor, and advise the country's police, focusing on middle and senior management, thus helping to fight organised crime more effectively, to further facilitate public confidence in policing, to consolidate law and order, and to further assist in the creation of a border police service.
EUPOL PROXIMA will focus its activities on urgent operational needs within 3 programmes: Public Peace and Order, Organised Crime and Border Police. As a consequence the mission will expand its geographical coverage to a countrywide deployment while maintaining a higher presence in the former crisis area.
The Head of Mission for the extended EUPOL PROXIMA mission will be German Brigadier General Jürgen Scholz. He will formally take over as Head of Mission on 15 December 2004.
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