Nieuwe politiemissie EU in Macedonië (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU launched a new police mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia today (15 December), where it will deploy a 200-strong police force for around one year.

The mission, dubbed "EUPOL Proxima", will succeed the EU's "Concordia" peacekeeping military mission which expires today, and is the second EU police mission the EU is undertaking.

Proxima aims to help FYROM authorities develop their police forces to the highest European and international standards and will focus in particular on supporting the government's efforts to fight organised crime.

The total cost of the mission amounts to 15 million euro for the first year, including set-up costs of 7.3 million euro, all funded through the Community budget.

EU police officers will wear their national police uniforms with blue armbands carrying the EU emblem of 12 stars.

"Proxima" is the EU's third operation under the European Security and Defence Policy in the Balkans and the fourth globally with "ARTEMIS" - the peacekeeping military mission carried out in Bunia, Congo, over the summer this year.