ZAGREB, CROATIA - Delegation of the European Commission in Croatia and the Croatian Interior Ministry have marked the finalisation of the PHARE 2005 Twinning project “Reaffirming human potential management, education system and Interior Ministry training, Police Academy”. Its goal was Interior Ministry reform as part of European Union accession.

The project, financed by the European Union with 280,000 euro, was opened in November 2007.

France was Croatia`s partner in conducting the project, while the essential partners were the French Interior Ministry, Management of administrative affairs of the French police and Auvergne University.

This project is a part of global changes

As chief of police Vladimir Faber pointed out, the project`s objective was to remove the negative consequences of the socialist system, during which the police protected the authorities and not the citizens, and the transformation of the police force into the citizens` public service. Investing in human potential, changing the culture and philosophy, preconditions for constructing a police force of a democratic society have been created, Faber said. He pointed out adjusting police profession to new needs, determining the stimulation system and advancing officials.

Head of the European Commission delegation in Croatia Vincent Degert said that this project is a part of global changes of the Croatian national and public administration as part of EU accession. With it, the first stage ends, which has created the foundations and the final reform and realisation of all set goals is expected by 2011, Degert said.