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During the commemoration ceremony for EU personnel fallen in the line of duty at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on 21 October, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton paid tribute to those who lost their lives serving the European Union abroad: Audrius Šenavičius, who was murdered when he was serving in the EULEX mission in Kosovo, the citizens of Spain and Denmark Pilar Juárez Boal and Mette Nielsen. The EU leaders unveiled a memorial stone in their memory.

“Today, in my personal name and on behalf of the European Union, I would like to pay homage to their work and extend deep-felt condolences to the three families and to friends and colleagues: nothing can replace a loved one lost,” said H.van Rompuy.

According to him, this memorial stone will remind all that upholding and defending Europe’s ideals can come with a cost, with the highest possible sacrifice.

“All three were serving in difficult and dangerous conditions and, like many others – humanitarians, diplomats, aid workers, peace-keepers – they devoted their full energy and dedication to a worthy and generous cause. Their work will be continued. We will not let them down,” noted H.van Rompuy.

On 19 September 2013, a EULEX convoy en route to the border crossing between northern Kosovo and Serbia under attack near the town of Zvečan/Zveçan and two EULEX officers were pronounced dead. One of them was Audrius Šenavičius, the 35-year-old EULEX customs officer of Lithuanian nationality, who served in the EULEX mission in Kosovo from August 2012. He began to work for the Lithuanian Customs Department in 2000.