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The Dutch contribution to Police Mission Proxima

The implementation of those parts of the Ohrid agreement which were aimed at the decentralisation of the police apparatus proceeded with the utmost difficulty at the end of 2003, thus causing problems for the Macedonian government in its attempts to restore public order and security in the former crisis areas and to regain control of them.

There was thus an urgent need for a rapid and durable reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the police apparatus. Proxima, an EU-mandated mission, was tasked with supporting the Macedonians:

  • in their fight against organised crime;
  • in maintaining public order;
  • reforming the police apparatus;
  • establishing the Macedonian border police;
  • restoring the confidence of the Macedonian people in the police;
  • encouraging cooperation with neighbouring countries in respect of police matters.

Local police

The responsibility for conducting police duties thus lay with the local police officials themselves. In all, 200 police officials – mainly from European Union member states – were posted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and to various police stations. The mission was led by a head of mission, who was accountable to the EU coordinator for foreign policy, Javier Solana.

The Proxima agents were unarmed, apart from a small group which was responsible for the safety of the mission members. The EU decided to extend the mission for a year on 11 October 2004. The number of police officials fell gradually to 120 and the mandate was reduced. The mission now focused on organised crime, the border police and the performance of the general uniformed police service.

Marechaussee and police to Macedonia

The cabinet decided on 28 November 2003 to supply a maximum of 8 Marechaussee personnel and a maximum of 8 civil police officials for the EU police mission, Proxima. The mixed police/Marechaussee detachment, 6 marechaussees and 6 police officers, left for Macedonia on 26 January 2004 for a 1-year period. The 6 marechaussees were relieved by 4 colleagues in December 2004.

Structural changes difficult

The Dutch could see that it was difficult to make any structural changes. The Macedonian officers usually chose the path of least resistance and gave priority to less important matters. Proxima’s mandate ended on 15 December 2005, although the mission did continue in a new guise and without any Dutch participation as the EU Advisory Team.