EU mission to take over in Kosovo on Tuesday, Solana says

Dec 5, 2008, 11:31 GMT

Brussels - The European Union is to take over responsibility for the rule of law in Kosovo on Tuesday, the bloc's top foreign- policy official announced Friday.

EU High Representative Javier Solana 'today announced that the Eulex mission in Kosovo will start its mandate on Tuesday, December 9,' a press release from Solana's office stated.

Eulex is the EU's largest-ever civilian mission, with 1,300 international and 500 local staff at present. It is intended to train Kosovo's fledgling government in matters such as police reform and accountability, judicial independence and customs control.

The mission will 'be crucial for the consolidation of rule of law in Kosovo, and, furthermore, the development of rule of law and strengthening of multi-ethnic institutions will be to the benefit of all communities in Kosovo,' Solana said in the statement.

The mission is intended to deploy 'throughout Kosovo' on Tuesday, including in predominantly-Serb areas, the statement said.

However, it is not expected to take over completely from United Nations authorities, as had been foreseen in the peace plan set out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in 2007, owing to the current deadlock in the UN Security Council over Kosovo's status.

Eulex 'will not replace (the UN's Kosovo mission), but rather support, mentor, monitor and advise the local authorities while exercising executive responsibilities in specific areas of competence,' such as investigating serious crimes.

The mission is initially planned for two years, but is expected to stay in country until the Kosovo authorities 'have gained enough experience to guarantee that all members of society benefit from the rule of law,' the statement said.