Kosovo blocks border control protocol between EU and Serbia

Aug 27, 2009, 12:11 GMT

Pristina - Kosovo's government on Thursday blocked the signing of a protocol on border cooperation between the European Union's law-enforcement mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and neighbouring Serbia.

'As of today, all debates and talks on the subject of the protocol have ended,' Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu said in a short statement after meeting with the EU special representative in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, and EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon.

The protocol's rejection by Kosovo's authorities comes after protests earlier this week by the Albanian movement Vetevendosja (Self-Determination). The group vandalized 28 EULEX cars in downtown Pristina because of the protocol and called the government 'to question their cooperation with EULEX.'

The protocol, which regulates operational cooperation with EULEX, is one of the technical conditions that Serbia must fulfill before acceding to the Schengen white list, allowing visa-free travel in and out of Serbia with other Schengen signatory states.

EULEX is having separate negotiations with Belgrade over the protocol, without Kosovo's participation, because Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo's Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 after years of international supervision. The former province was recognized by the United States and a majority of European Union.

EULEX said earlier that the protocol would primarily focus on exchange of information relevant to the fight against organized crime and other illegal activities. Similar protocols have already been signed with neighboring Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.

EULEX was deployed in Kosovo late last year to replace the United Nations troops (UNMIK) and to help Kosovo's institutions establish independent police, judiciary and administration.

'Kosovo's institutions are sovereign and as such they undertake sovereign decisions, in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The Republic of Kosovo does not hold itself accountable and will not take any responsibility for the issues that were not decided in a sovereign way,' Kosovo's leaders said in a statement.