The European Commission adopted a new programme to support cooperation on police services between the EU and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) neighbouring countries. The Eastern Partnership Police Cooperation Programme is designed to reflect the required reforms of the law enforcement sector to support progress towards deep and sustainable democracy within the European Neighbourhood region.

The European Commission adopted the Eastern Partnership Police Cooperation Programme with the aim at promoting police cooperation on issues related to cross-border crime between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries and among the EaP countries themselves. By doing so, the EU will help to strengthen the rule of law in the region. In September 2012, regional politicians from the EU and Eastern neighbouring countries agreed to move forward on public administration reform.

The Commission highlighted that in the framework of the adopted programme a series of activities such as study tours, exchange programmes, training and meetings will be organised to facilitate networking and build partnerships and trust among the police forces of the EU and EaP countries. According to the Commission, specialised training and exchange of best practice will be supported to increase knowledge and skills of Eastern neighbours' police in police management and fight against cross-border crime.

The total budget of the programme is €5 million planned for the period of four years, and the EU funding comes from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The new programme is designed in line with the Joint Communication "A new Response to a Changing Neighbourhood". The Commission stressed that it is also an important deliverable of the "Eastern Partnership Roadmap" which also refers to cooperation between law enforcement agencies.