European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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For other uses, see European Union Police Mission.

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 Missions 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 United Nations' International Police Task Force 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 United Nations High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently this role is played by Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák, who took over from Christian Schwarz-Schilling on 30 June 2007.

[edit] 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 reform.

EUPM, the first mission launched under the European 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 2007 to 31 December 2007). 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.

The choice of the name is a little unfortunate, as its acronym EUPM pronounced in Bosnian sounds like a common shortened version of a frequently used local profane uttering.