From Operation Concordia to EUPOL Proxima Mission

On December 15, 2003, Operation Concordia, which was the EU’s first military operation, ends its work on the territory of North Macedonia (then FYROM) and is replaced by the newly established police mission EUPOL Proxima with a mandate until 2005.
Operation Concordia began its duties in March 2003, taking over the responsibilities of the NATO-led Allied Harmony mission. The purpose of this operation was to provide security for EU and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers, who were working to prevent/suppress inter-communal tensions in the area. Operation Concordia, within the framework of cooperation it developed with NATO, is also the first EU operation to use NATO resources, means, and capabilities.
Regarding EUPOL Proxima, in line with the objectives of the Ohrid Agreement and working closely with the competent authorities within the framework of a broader concept of the rule of law, it was envisaged to provide, in full coordination and complementarity with the Community institution-building as well as the OSCE and bilateral programs, assistance, inter alia through monitoring and advising, as appropriate: the consolidation of the rule of law, as well as the fight against organized crime, focusing on volatile areas – the practical implementation of the radical reform of the Ministry of Interior, including the police – the operational transition towards a border police and its creation, as part of the broader EU effort to promote integrated border management – the local police in order to gain the trust of the population – enhanced cooperation with neighboring states in the police sector.