The Council of the European Union decided on December 19, 2011 to extend the mandate of EUPOL COPPS (the European Union Co-ordination Office for Palestinian Police Support) for a further six months, starting from the beginning of 2012 on the basis of its current mandate.
Since it was established in 2006, EUPOL COPPS has been assisting the Palestinian Authority to build the institutions of the future State of Palestine in the areas of policing and rule of law. Assistance takes place under the Palestinian ownership and in accordance with the recognised international standards.
EUPOL COPPS is a European Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) mission based in the West Bank city of Ramallah. It is part of the wider efforts of the European Union to promote a comprehensive peace with Israel and a two-State solution to the conflict.
The West Bank-based mission currently employs 70 staff members drawn from 17 EU member states and Canada, aided by 40 Palestinian employees.
The EU mission aims to increase the safety and security of the Palestinian population and serve the domestic agenda of the Palestinian Authority in reinforcing the rule of law.
