On the 28th of June 2013 Colonel Cornelis KUIJS LLD (Royal Marechaussee, The Netherlands), handed over his position as the European Gendarmerie Force Commander to ColonelFrancisco ESTEBAN PEREZ (Guardia Civil, Spain) in Caserma “Generale Chinotto” in Vicenza, Italy.
Chaired by the President of the High Level Interdepartmental Committee (CIMIN, the EGF decision making body), Lieutenant-General Doctor LEIJTENS (Royal Marechaussee, The Netherlands), along with the Commanding Generals/General Directors of the seven EUROGENDFOR members, the representatives of the Jandarma from Turkey, as EUROGENDFOR observer, and of the Viesojo Saugumo from Lithuania, as EUROGENDFOR partner. Several local and Carabinieri authorities as well as family members of EUROGENDFOR Permanent Headquarters (PHQ) staff and a small delegation of the former Austrian Gendarmerie were present.
The Royal Marechaussee fanfare, the staff of the Permanent Headquarters, a platoon of EUROGENDFOR members, and a Carabinieri platoon, took part in this perfectly mastered parade in which honors were given to the EUROGENDFOR flag and to member states flags as well as to the fallen comrades.
After his speech, Lieutenant-General LEIJTENS handed over the EUROGENDFOR flag from Colonel Cornelis KUIJS to Colonel ESTEBAN PEREZ as the testimony of the 2 years he will be commanding the European Gendarmerie Force.
Colonel KUIJS thanked the PHQ staff for its support, dedication and achievements during his two years of command. Colonel ESTEBAN PEREZ addressed the audience stating his intention to go forth in further developing this unique organization, and speaking in Italian, thanked the Host Nation for its supporting role.
After the ceremony a luncheon reception took place in which all authorities and guests participated.