The EU announced here Wednesday the extension of its EU police mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOLCOPPS) until 30 June 2015. It is part of wider EU efforts in support of Palestinian state building in the context of working towards a comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution, said the 28-member bloc in a statement.
The mission has been assisting the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions of a future state of Palestine in the areas of policing and criminal justice since January 2006. Through its contribution to security and justice sector reform, the mission supports efforts to increase the security of the Palestinian population and to reinforce the rule of law, it said.
A budget of 9.8 million euro (USD 13.3 mn)has been allocated for the mission's activities between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.