Study visit UNFICYP Cyprus

Analytica think tank conducted a study visit for one member of the Macedonian Ministry of Interior as part of the UN Mission to Cyprus UNFICYP (26-28 April). The aim of the visit was to gain first-hand information about the participation in peace operations through civilian components.

For that purpose our Researcher Andreja Bogdanovski together with Ms. Valentina Ivanova from the Public Safety Bureau (MoI) traveled to Nicosia and had number of meetings with military/police and civilian representatives posted as part of the mission. Ms. Ivanova works as Police advisor for prevention and crisis management (Unit for strategic planning, standards and quality control).

On the first day of the visit Macedonian delegation had meetings with Ms. Elizabeth Sellwood in charge of providing political assistance to the Head of Mission. We had a chance to learn more about the mandate of the mission as well as the ongoing political developments in terms of the negotiations taking place in Cyprus where the UN is offering its good offices. Number of meetings followed explaining the military, police as well as civilian aspects of UNFICYP’s role in Cyprus. The second part of the day was devoted for a visit of the buffer zone where Macedonia’s delegation was better introduced with the activities that the policing component of UNFICYP is tasked with.

The second day was devoted for sharing regional experiences with representatives from neighbouring countries which have sent police officers to UNFICYP. For that purpose a meeting with two representatives of the Bosnia and Herzegovina contingent was organised. During the meeting the Macedonian delegation was better familiarised with the process for sending police officers to missions abroad. The Serbian experiences were shared by Mr. Drasko Suvam, team leader of the Athienou police station in Cyprus. The Macedonian delegation had the chance to get better introduced about the daily tasks and responsibilities of that particular police station.

Overall the visit has clearly demonstrated the benefits of sending police officers in peace missions abroad.

This activity is part of the project "Western Balkans Civilian Capacities in Peace Operations: http://www.analyticamk.org/en/projects/current/42-category-en-gb/programs/foreign-and-security-policy/461-western-balkans-civilian-capacities-in-peace-operations

For more pictures: https://www.facebook.com/analyticamk/posts/10154904267887178