Mr. President, Prime Minister, Friends and Colleagues

Let me say what a great pleasure it is for me to welcome you all here today. I have been coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina numerous times in the course of the past decade - often under difficult and tragic circumstances. Today, however, the context is a different one. For me, as for many of you, this day is one of particular personal significance. It is an historic day - a day of hope and of progress for Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as for the European Union.

The EU police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina - the EUPM - began operations on the first of this month. The EUPM is, for all of us, the start of something new. A shared project through which we can reach common goals.

The EUPM is, first, the start of a new phase in peace implementation in Bosnia. Seven years have passed since Dayton and in that time much progress has been made in building a peaceful, democratic country. Widespread BiH police reform and restructuring, initiated by the United Nations, has taken place. A framework for democratic policing now exists.

The role of the EUPM is to assist the Bosnian government and police authorities in filling out this framework. The framework for a democratic and professional police must also be sustainable. This sustainability is crucial to providing all citizens of Bosnia with a safe and stable environment. A peaceful and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina is our first common goal in EUPM.

The implementation of the peace demands the Rule of Law. So too, does Bosnia and Herzegovina's future in Europe. This is our second common goal. The EUPM is a new instrument of the European Union - but firmly part of our established policy in Bosnia through the Stabilisation and Association Process. This policy is clear - Bosnia's future lies in Europe. We want to help you to make this future a reality. Without a rule of law that is transparent, professional and effective, Bosnia's progress to Europe will remain halting.

EUPM is here to assist you in your journey to Europe. It will monitor, mentor, advise and inspect ongoing police reforms to ensure they meet the highest European and international standards required for integration into Europe. These standards include a fully independent, professional police force that serves all citizens regardless of race, class or gender. These standards involve an effective police force that operates in accordance with common established rules and principles. These standards include a commitment at the level of individual police officers as well as police organisations to integrity and honesty in all aspects of their work. These are the values on which European rule of law is based. It is the cement that binds our diverse systems.

The EUPM's 500 police officers, under the leadership of Commissioner Sven Frederiksen, have been individually selected from 33 states to embody these values. So too have the EUPM's 50 international civilian experts. The deployment of skilled and qualified professionals demonstrates the EU's commitment to assisting your police reform. Let me add here my personal gratitude to all EUPM participating States for their generosity and support in seconding personnel.

The mission is supported by the Community's institution-building programmes and, in Brussels, by my Secretariat. The full weight of the European Union is therefore behind you in your police reform efforts.

The third shared goal which the EUPM represents is the continuing development of the EU's external identity. The EUPM is the first crisis management operation launched by the Union as part of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The fact that it takes place in Bosnia is the strongest statement yet of the EU's engagement in and partnership with the Balkans. The fact that the Union's first operation is a police mission - a civilian mission - demonstrates our commitment to a comprehensive crisis management approach that brings real added value.

Above all, however, the participation of 18 Third States in the EUPM illustrates that the ESDP is an open project. The EU is a community of values reflecting values shared by you, our partners. EUPM is the practical embodiment of our common values and I am proud to be in its chain of command.

In conclusion, I would like to be the first to congratulate the men and women of the EUPM today and to wish them well in their historic mission. Expectations are high but I have every confidence that together we will meet our common goals.