The mission aims at contributing to the establishment of sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements under Afghan ownership and in accordance with international standards. More particularly, the mission monitors, mentors, advises and trains at the level of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, regions and provinces.

 

EUPOL AFGHANISTAN builds on the efforts of the GPPO (German Police Project Office) and other international actions in the field of police and the rule of law. It aims to bring together individual national efforts under an EU hat, taking due account of the relevant Community activities. Its activities aim at covering the whole of Afghanistan.

 

Mr Karl Åke Roghe, from Sweden, has been appointed as Head of Mission. His mandate will run from 1 August 2012 until 31 May 2013. He succeed Geoffrey Cooper who ensured the interim period after the end of the mandate of Brigadier General Jukka SAVOLAINEN, Chief Superintendent Nigel THOMAS, (interim period) Mr. Kai Vittrup and Brigadier-General Jürgen Scholz.

 

On 26 April 2010, the Council welcomed the strategic reform efforts of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN and its continuous work in strengthening the Afghan police and rule of law sector. The Council recognises the importance of EUPOL Afghanistan becoming the coordinator for the development of two pillars of the Afghan National Police, namely the Afghan Civilian Police and the Afghan Anticrime Police as requested by the Afghan Minister of the Interior. Sustainable civilian policing structures are a crucial element of the transition strategy agreed upon in the London Conference.

 

The Council welcomed the continued progress made by EUPOL AFGHANISTAN at strategic, operational and tactical levels in line with its strategic objectives. The Council acknowledged the progress and expansion of the City Police Projects in building effective city police forces throughout the country. The Council also welcomed the emphasis of the mission on close coordination of its activities with other EU instruments and key partners, especially the recently activated cooperation with the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan.