The European Union will continue to closely monitor developments in the rule of law, including the functioning of the RS gendarmery, said the EU Delegation to Bosnia on Wednesday, when asked for a comment on the formation of a gendarmery unit in Bosnia's Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity.

“The functioning of law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina is important for Bosnia's EU integration. This has been confirmed in the Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU membership application, which pointed to law enforcement agencies being fragmented and vulnerable to undue political interference. The Opinion asked for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies. In this regard the European Union will continue to closely monitor developments in the rule of law, including the functioning of the RS gendarmerie,” the EU Delegation said.

The authorities of the RS entity lined-up the newly formed unit called gendarmery as part of the RS Interior Ministry's new organisational unit said to be formed to protect the RS, its citizens and their property.

The Delegation added that the EU is currently managing almost €15 million to support the rule of law in the country with ongoing and planned assistance, aimed at strengthening cooperation, coordination and efficiency of the police structures in Bosnia in line with EU and international standards.