On 31 August, 71 Polish members of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) were awarded the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) service medal during an official ceremony hosted by the Deputy Head of EULEX, Cezary Luba, and held at the FPU’s base in Mitrovica in the presence of the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Polish Police, General Major Paweł Dobrodziej, the KFOR Commander, Major General Ferenc Kajári, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Bardhyl Dobra, and other guests.

The EU CSDP medal is awarded by the EU High Representative to all women and men serving in different CSDP missions.

In his opening remarks, Luba, pointed out that the Polish Police have been in Kosovo for more than 12 years and added: “Our uniform has become recognizable by Kosovo citizens and international partners as a symbol of trust, professionalism and support”.

Thanking the police officers for their service, Dobrodziej, commended the commitment of the Polish Police to support Kosovo’s institutions in ensuring security for all communities, stating: “Serving in Kosovo is an honor, a privilege and a distinction, and I am proud to say that you carry out the tasks entrusted to you to the highest standards with a professional attitude and exceptional friendliness”.

The FPU Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Krzysztof Sowiński, recalled the importance of the role played by EULEX’s FPU as second security responder, forming part of a three-layer security responder mechanism where Kosovo Police is the first security responder, EULEX is the second, and NATO/KFOR is the third.

The Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) consists of 105 Police Officers seconded by Poland, with the objective to support the stability of Kosovo and contribute to the security of all communities.