The European Union has long been at the forefront of efforts for peace in the Middle East. Its priorities include further strengthening law and order, and in this context, EUPOL COPPS is an important element in the improvement of the safety and security in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

EUPOL COPPS builds on the work of the EU Coordination Office for Palestinian Police Support, established earlier within the office of the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process. This initiative followed the expression by EU leaders in June 2004 of their readiness to support the Palestinian Authority in taking responsibility for law and order and, in particular, in improving its civil police and law enforcement capacity.