Brussels, 14/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 May, the EU Council of Ministers gave the go-ahead for the European police operation in Afghanistan. The Council approved the joint action and the appointment of the head of the mission, which is to deploy 160 police officers entrusted with the task of sharing their know-how with the Afghan police force. The EUPOL-Afghanistan operation is to be launched in mid-June.
Some 70 police officers will be joining the 90 European experts from about ten countries already in the country. Germany, alone, will be providing half of this contingent to assist in the training of the Afghan police force and to provide guidance and advice. All will come under the command of German Brigadier General Friedrich Eichele.
One of the main objectives of the European mission will be to reconnect the 34 Afghan provinces with the capital city. At the present time, the effort is focused on Kabul. As of June, the 160-strong police contingent will be divided between the capital, the regional commands and the provinces. Such a structure should make it possible for the Afghan force to filter down advice, continuous training, apprenticeship and implementation of police and administrative procedures, as well as rules relating to accountability. Outside Kabul, European police officers will be deployed in the ISAF regional commands in the north, west and south of the country, as well as in 13 Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs - that will allow coverage of 19 provinces). The PRTs are headed by EU member states as well as by Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Turkey.
The specific environment of this mission has made it difficult to estimate its cost. For the second half of 2007, €40 million is foreseen. The operation should be continued until 2010. (aby)