June 12, 2014

The European Union has extended its rule of law and justice mission in Kosovo by two years, until June 2016.

The 2,000-strong EULEX unit was launched in 2008 just months after Kosovo broke away from Serbia, in a bid to help Pristina build state institutions and assert the rule of law.

EU governments, in a statement on June 12, said the mission will now start to "phase out its executive functions in the justice sector," noting that EULEX prosecutors do not plan to take on any new cases.

The statement said the mission will now focus on "capacity building throughout Kosovo, security and the implementation of agreements" reached with Serbia through EU-mediated talks.

It said the size of the mission "will be reduced to reflect its changing activity."
Based on reporting by AFP and dpa