NEW PERSONNEL JOINED EUFOR'S POLICE UNIT

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (November 24,2007) – The Europenan Union Force in Bosnia (EUFOR) announced that the Integrated Police Unit (IPU) based at Butmir Camp and which is one of the key components of EUFOR has received new personnel in the Headquarters from elements of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF).

"EUFOR welcomes this enhancement to the IPU capabilities and now that the mandate has also been extended for another year EUFOR and Bosnia can look forward to continuing the progressive work towards European integration whilst ensuring the safe and stable environment," EUFOR said.

The EGF is a multinational initiative of Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish Police Forces with military status. Its aim is to reinforce International Community capabilities on police missions. This event strengthens the capability of the IPU that has been part of EUFOR since 1 January 2005 and adds to the nationalities that already provide manpower and equipment.

Next to the five EGF Member States already mentioned Hungary, Romania and Turkey also participate in the IPU by providing manpower and equipment essential to conducting IPU tasks.

As a crucial asset of EUFOR the IPU has inherent information gathering and preventative orientation capabilities, and, under EGF management, will continue to contribute to the safe and secure environment through assisting in the maintenance of public order and supporting the civilian implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.

In particular, the IPU, upon request can support the Bosnian police in technical investigations and cooperate during execution of special activities. Furthermore the specialized element is capable to perform information gathering activities; crime analysis and investigation; search operations, document exploitation and escort operations.

The commander of the EUFOR IPU remains as Italian Carabinieri Colonel Giovanni Pietro Barbano who took over the role on 1 August 2007.