Unofficial information that UN HQ in New York is preparing a plan that will grant UNMIK broader areas of intervention in Kosovo has caused a stir in Pristina. Kosovo authorities believe that the mission is unnecessary and represents the main obstacle to full independence.

Our diplomatic sources confirmed that the future role of UNMIK is under discussion at UN HQ in New York. However, considering that the mission has been going through a downsizing process since the establishment of EULEX in 2008, the strengthening of the mission potentially planned for next summer, would come as a real surprise. Meanwhile, Brussels is debating the future of EULEX, as its mandate is due to expire in June.

News that part of EULEX competences related to Rule of Law will be recovered by UNMIK this summer could not be confirmed by EULEX, or the UN mission in Kosovo. “I don’t have such information and I cannot comment it,” said Dragana Nikolic Solomon from EULEX Press service. She confirmed that the mandate of the EULEX mission in Kosovo will expire in June. “It is up to the EU member states to decide whether the work of the mission will be extended and in which format.”

UNMIK Spokeswoman Sarah Crozier said that there were no changes in the mission or its mandate: “Regular budget processes are underway and they are not connected to the future EULEX work, which is exclusively a matter dealt by the EU institutions.”

Kosovo Deputy PM Branimir Stojanovic said that the Serbs level of trust in UNMIK is visibly higher than that of any other international organization, or institution: “When it comes to the Rule of Law, whichever kind of increased international presence has positive reactions of Serbs. Of course, better and more effective judicial system is needed in Kosovo.”

On the other side Kosovo Albanians do not favor the potentially increased international presence in Kosovo, interpreting it as the collapse of the “independence”. In any case, over the next few months, international community will have to decide on the future of EULEX and UNMIK's roles in Kosovo, because the mandate of the EU mission is expiring, and there are ongoing preparations for the commencement of the work of Special Court for war crimes committed in Kosovo, in The Hague.