The Kosovo Assembly to decide on Wednesday on extension of the EU mission mandate. Decision support and the Serbs in the north and seek status neutrality.
Members of the Assembly on Wednesday should validate the extension of the mandate of the EULEX mission for another two years. Their stay is supported by Serbs in the north, although last week they warned the EU mission that they could become “unwelcome”. At the same time, they remind that actions of EULEX must be status neutral.
Serbian representatives in the Assembly, boycott its work because of the controversial election law, most likely on Wednesday will appear and support the continued operation of EU civilian missions. Since its arrival in Kosovo, five years ago, EULEX is working under the framework of Resolution 1244, and the new mandate should remain under the umbrella of the UN. It is a part that bothers the Albanian parties, which asked the abolition of the mission at the end of last year.
Vice President of the Assembly of Kosovo Petar Miletic says to Novosti, that the authority of EULEX is likely to be reduced, because formation of a war crime court is expected which will take over some work:
– Although I am not satisfied with the work of the mission, because they had some serious flaws, there is no alternative. Kosovo police and judicial authorities are not able to keep the situation under control.
And by Goran Rakic, the North Mitrovica Mayor, the presence of EULEX in Kosovo is very much important, but he recalls that this mission must behave status neutral, because with such a mandate was engaged.
– We are not defending criminals, but it is wrong that EULEX on their actions does not inform the regional police commander. Thus, EULEX is the long arm of Pristina, and it should not be – says Rakic to Novosti.
Ljubomir Maric, head of the management team for the establishment of the Community of Serbian municipalities, says to Novosti that EULEX is still necessary because the local judiciary in Kosovo does not have the capacity to deal with war crimes investigations and cases of high corruption of the central government. Maric also notes that the future mandate of EULEX should be coordinated with the process of integration of Serbian judges.
