The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi, met today with the new Acting Head of EULEX Mission in Kosovo, Bernd Thran, with whom he discussed the cooperation between Kosovo institutions and EULEX after the adoption of the new law and the restructuring of the mission.
“We have established a good tradition of cooperation”, Thaçi said, adding that the cooperation shall continue.
Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djurić met today with the Acting Head of EULEX Bernd Tran and congratulated him the appointment. Tran introduced Djurić with the EULEX goals in the new two-year term. Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said that for the Serbia and the Serbian people in Kosovo functioning of EULEX is of the essential importance.
Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Ɖurić will meet on Wednesday, June 29, with Bernd Thran, Acting Head of the EULEX mission in Kosovo. The meeting will be held at 11 am, at the Palace Serbia, was stated from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija. A press release will be issued upon completion of the meeting.
The recent agreement between the EU External Action Service, EEAS, and the Kosovo government, has created a new state of play in the judicial system, strengthening the responsibility of Kosovo institutions and reducing the authority of EULEX.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-justice-system-takes-over-eulex-s-powers-06-26-2016
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Branimir Stojanović said in an interview for the Belgrade paper Večernje Novosti that it is a bad thing UNMIK is excluded from processes in Kosovo and added that it is good EULEX is present to control local institutions. “Agreement on the process of transfer of competencies from international missions to Kosovo ones has been achieved through Albanian politicians and EU representatives.
Most news websites cover a press release issued today by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The press release notes: “Following the Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo until 14 June 2018, and exchange of letters between President Hashim Thaci and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, the EULEX Mission in partnership with Kosovo authorities, will continue gradual transfer of its activities to local institutions and other EU actors.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa, has requested from the Assembly to vote the draft-law on extension of EULEX's mandate, being that this would help on strengthening the justice in Kosovo.
During the plenary session which is going on right now, Mustafa expressed the position of the government and of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), on extension of the EULEX’s mandate in Kosovo. According to Mustafa, this would strengthen the rule of law and the war against corruption, while the people would feel safer.
Member of the Kosovo Parliament Nenad Rašić believes that politicians need EULEX in order to comply with the moral standards. "EULEX could do the more important things in every sense, but still we need it because of operational reasons, because they are the only link with the EU, but also because they present our common goal, i.e. entry into the EU. Another thing is psychological in nature, which is that we in the Balkans definitely need a 'big brother', even if it is fancied," said Rašić.
The government of Kosovo has approved the draft law for ratification of the international agreement between Kosovo and the European Union, with regards to the extension of the mandate of the EU mission for the rule of law in Kosovo (EULEX), until 15 June 2018.
Leader of the Serbian List, Slavko Simić, yesterday said that EULEX’s presence in Kosovo is still needed and that it is important for EULEX to keep current competencies for the next two years, during its extended mandate.