European Union Police Mission
Encyclopedia
The European Union Police Mission (EUPM) is the European Union
's mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
that aids the local police
organizations, and is one of a number of European Union Police Mission
s worldwide. It is the first such mission undertaken by the EU within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy
. The EUPM was the successor to the United Nations
' International Police Task Force (part of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
) in Bosnia, whose term ended at the end of 2002.
The EUPM acts under co-ordination of the European Union Special Representative
, who also serves as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
.
EUPM, the first mission launched under the Common Security and Defence Policy, was launched on 1 January 2003 for an initial period of three years. Following an invitation by the Bosnian authorities, the EU decided to establish a follow-on police mission with a modified mandate and size. EUPM II last for two years (from 1 January 2006 until 31 December 2007). It monitored, advised and inspected BiH police forces according to three main pillars, i.e. support to the police reform process, strengthening of police accountability and support to the fight against organised crime.
At the end of 2007 the EU Police Mission was extended for another two years (from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009). Within the next two years, the mission will continue its work with regard to the three same pillars, with particular emphasis on support to the fight against organised crime. EUPM will also devote particular attention to reinforcing cooperation between police and prosecutors.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
that aids the local police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
organizations, and is one of a number of European Union Police Mission
European Union Police Mission
The European Union Police Mission is the European Union's mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina that aids the local police organizations, and is one of a number of European Union Police Missions worldwide. It is the first such mission undertaken by the EU within the framework of the Common Foreign and...
s worldwide. It is the first such mission undertaken by the EU within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Common Foreign and Security Policy
The Common Foreign and Security Policy is the organised, agreed foreign policy of the European Union for mainly security and defence diplomacy and actions. CFSP deals only with a specific part of the EU's external relations, which domains include mainly Trade and Commercial Policy and other areas...
. The EUPM was the successor to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' International Police Task Force (part of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international organization formed under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1035 on 21 December 1995. It completed its mandate on 31 December 2002, when it was succeeded by the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and...
) in Bosnia, whose term ended at the end of 2002.
The EUPM acts under co-ordination of the European Union Special Representative
European Union Special Representative
The European Union Special Representatives are emissaries of the European Union with specific tasks abroad. While the EU's ambassadors are responsible for affairs with a single country, Special Representatives tackle specific issues, conflict areas or regions of countries...
, who also serves as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was created in 1995 immediately after the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee the civilian implementation of this agreement. The High Representative and the OHR represent the...
.
Mission
The EUPM aims to help in establishing a sustainable, professional and multi-ethnic police force. It assists the local police, fighting large-scale organised crime and helping with police reformReform
Reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition; to amend or improve by change of color or removal of faults or abuses, beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct....
.
EUPM, the first mission launched under the Common Security and Defence Policy, was launched on 1 January 2003 for an initial period of three years. Following an invitation by the Bosnian authorities, the EU decided to establish a follow-on police mission with a modified mandate and size. EUPM II last for two years (from 1 January 2006 until 31 December 2007). It monitored, advised and inspected BiH police forces according to three main pillars, i.e. support to the police reform process, strengthening of police accountability and support to the fight against organised crime.
At the end of 2007 the EU Police Mission was extended for another two years (from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009). Within the next two years, the mission will continue its work with regard to the three same pillars, with particular emphasis on support to the fight against organised crime. EUPM will also devote particular attention to reinforcing cooperation between police and prosecutors.