EU to end police mission in Macedonia
European Union has decided to replace its police mission in Macedonia with and advisory team in order to help the government of Macedonia to modernise its police structures.
“The (EU) Council adopted today a joint action on the establishment of an EU police advisory team (EUPAT) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) from 15 December 2005 to 14 June 2006.” the EU said in a statement.
The statement says that the objective of EUPAT is to further support the development of an efficient and professional police service based on European standards
EU police experts will monitor and mentor the Macedonia’s police in the field of border police, public peace and order and accountability, the fight against corruption and organized crime.
EUPAT team will give special attention to the overall implementation of police reform in the field; police-judiciary cooperation and professional standards and internal control.
EUPAT will be established following the termination on 14 December 2005 of the mandate of the EU Police Mission "Proxima" launched on 15 December last year.
Around 200 uniformed police personnel and civilians from EU Member States and other countries make up the Proxima mission.
EUPAT will have 30 experts from EU nations and the mission costs for six months period are 1.5 million EUROs. | 
