Thursday, September 27, 2007

EU AND BOSNIA INAUGURATE BOSNIAN BORDER POLICE HEADQUARTERS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (27.September,2007) - The Bosnian Minister of Security Tarik Sadovic,the Director of the Bosnian Border Police Vinko Dumancic,the Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of the EC Delegation to Bosnia and other officials of the ‘EU family’ in Bosnia, amongst whom Brigadier General Vincenzo Coppola, Head of the EU Police Mission in Bosnia, officially inaugurated the Bosnian Border Police Headquarters yesterday.

The construction of the brand-new headquarters was financed by the EU with over 2.8 million Euros and co-financed by the Ministry of Security and the Bosnian Border Police with 850,000 Euros.

“The EU is ready to invest more funds if an agreement is reached regarding police reform and its implementation,” said Ambassador Kourkoulas. “A quick fulfillment of the conditions to sign the Stability and Association Agreement (SAA) would send apositive message to the EU tax-payers and ensure them that their money is well invested.”

This project is part of the wider assistance of the European Union in support to the strengthening of the Bosnian Border Police and all the judicial and other policing structures in the country.

“By moving into this new building we are going to strengthen the Border Police’s capacities even more,” said Dumancic. “This is no doubt going to reflect positively upon all our efforts to fight cross- border crime.”

The Bosnian Minister of Security Tarik Sadovic also welcomed the inauguration of the new headquarters, stressing that strong institutions make for a strong state.

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