HEAD OF EUPM RECEIVES SERVICE MEDAL

SARAJEVO, Bosnia, (December 5,2007) – Brigadier General Vincenzo Coppola, Head of the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia, received yesterday the European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal from the hands of Ambassador Pieter Feith, Acting Civilian Operations Commander of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC).

Ambassador Feith seized the opportunity to commend the dedicated work of EUPM’s staff over the last four years.

Against the background of the recent announcement of the extension of the EU Police Mission’s mandate in Bosnia until the end of 2009, Ambassador Feith also looked into the future: “Within the next two years, I am assured that the EU Police Mission will continue to play a leading role in supporting the implementation of police reform in Bosnia. EUPM will also continue to assist the Bosnian police in the fight against organised crime,” he said.