EUPM COMMEMORATES COLLEAGUES WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (January 26, 2008) - The European Union Police Mission in Bosnia (EUPM) remembered yesterday its first Head of Mission, Sven Frederiksen, and two colleagues, Jose Andres Ygarza Palou and Francesco Niutta, who lost their lives while serving in Bosnia.

In the presence of Alessandro Fallavollita, the Ambassador of Italy to Bosnia , and José María Castroviejo y Bolíbar, the Ambassdor of Spain to Bosnia,Deputy Head of Mission, Ari Sarjanen, laid a wreath at a memorial stone in front of the main entrance of the EUPM Headquarters in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo and invited all those present to join him in a minute of silence.

“These fine officers lost their lives during honourable service in the EUPM, assisting Bosnia on its path towards European Union,” Sarjanen said.

“Their professionalism and dedication to service will always be remembered. They will be missed but not forgotten,” he added.

Commissioner Frederiksen passed away on the morning of 26 January 2004, following a coronary seizure. Warrant Officers Palou and Niutta lost their lives in tragic accidents.

Commissioner Frederiksen served as the last Commissioner of the International Police Task Force in Bosnia (IPTF) and was entrusted with the difficult task to close it down and establish the European Union Police Mission. Commissioner Frederiksen led the mission from its establishment, 1 January 2003, until his sudden death in 2004.