16 September 2013

Today, EULEX has handed over 22 vehicles and office equipment to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a donation to the newly established 'Regional Police Directorate North'. The donation ceremony was held at the Kosovo police station in Mitrovica north and attended by Bernd Borchard, EULEX Head of Mission, Shpend Maxhuni, General Director of Kosovo Police, Nenad Ðurić, Acting Regional Commander.

EULEX Head of Mission Bernd Borchardt stated:

"I am pleased to be handing over the keys to these vehicles to the Kosovo Police today. It is a signal both of EULEX's drawing down, and KP's building up. EULEX now has 23 advisors working to support the newly established Regional Command Team (North) and I have every confidence that they will work together to establish a strong and responsive policing service for the local community here in northern Kosovo."

"I am pleased to be handing over the keys to these vehicles to the Kosovo Police today. It is a signal both of EULEX's drawing down, and KP's building up. EULEX now has 23 advisors working to support the newly established Regional Command Team (North) and I have every confidence that they will work together to establish a strong and responsive policing service for the local community here in northern Kosovo."

The General Director of the Kosovo Police thanked EULEX, saying that this donation will significantly contribute to improving the efficiency of the work of the KP in the north.

"I would like to use this opportunity to thank EULEX for their continual support to the Kosovo Police. This donation will be a great help, which will contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Regional Police Directorate in northern Mitrovica. By pro-actively using the vehicles donated by EULEX, the Kosovo Police will increase their performance by providing more qualitative police services for the citizens in the northern part", said Maxhuni.

Acting Regional Commander thanked EULEX for donation.

"Donated vehicles will be used to improve the rule of law in the north and our greater efficiency, which will lead to greater safety and security for all citizens living in the north. Improvement of safety for all citizens is our main goal, and we will also in the future try to bring it to the highest level," said Djuric.

The donation ceremony was attended also by EULEX and KP officials, and media representatives.

At the beginning of August, EULEX deployed additional experienced advisors from Pristina to Mitrovica in order to support the Kosovo Police Regional Command Team in the north, and in particular the Acting Regional Commander Nenad Djuric. They will supplement the ongoing Monitoring, Mentoring and Advising (MMA) support to KP in the north, and ensure that the mission provides a consistent and 'joined up' MMA approach at all levels within the KP command structure.