European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo

European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo, is a planned deployment of European Union (EU) police and civilian resources to Kosovo as foreseen under the Ahtisaari plan. This rule of law mission is projected as a continuation of the international civil presence in Kosovo envisaged by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, although Russia and Serbia consider the mission illegal. The mission includes 2,000 police and judicial personnel, and began a four month deployment process on 16 February 2008. [http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/serbia-russia-fury-kosovo-independence-draws-near/article-170333 EurActiv.com - Serbia, Russia fury as Kosovo independence draws near | EU - European Information on Enlargement & Neighbours ] ] [ [http://euobserver.com/9/25660 EUobserver.com ] ] Currently only 400 of the some 1,900 police officers and judges foreseen by the EULEX mission are in place. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iHVwFOo39CXhqtv8mSDClRsz9dqg AFP: US diplomat says order must return to 'lawless' northern Kosovo ] ]

Composition and deployment

A 1800-1900 strong mission was approved by The European Council on 14 December 2007. This was later increased to 2000 personnel due to an increase in expected instability due to a lack of an agreement with Serbia. It consists of police officers (including four anti-riot units [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL163410020080216 FACTBOX: EU launches Kosovo police and justice mission | Reuters ] ] ), prosecutors and judges - hence focusing on issues on the rule of law, including democratic standards. The size of the mission means Kosovo will soon be home to the largest number of EU civil servants outside of Brussels. [de Kuijer, Pim (2008-02-18) [http://euobserver.com/9/25680 [Comment] The 28th member state] , EU Observer] Chef of the mission is Yves de Kermabon, who is accountable to the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, Pieter Feith. The mission is expected to cost €165 million in its first year.

The final decision on the mission was planned to be taken on 28 January 2008. [ [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1385154.php/Kosovo_leaders_agree_a_grand_coalition_independence_&quottop_priority%22 Kosovo leaders agree a grand coalition, independence "top priority"] ] This was postponed due to concerns over possible negative effects on the second round of the presidential election in Serbia on 3 February 2008 and the possible signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia on that date. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6336950.html EU mulling over timing of police mission to Kosovo - People's Daily Online ] ] The officially voiced reason for the postponement is the lack of a legal basis (through a UNSC resolution or something similar) for the mission. [ [http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=01&dd=15&nav_id=46936 B92 - News - Politics - EU to postpone sending mission to Kosovo ] ] A Joint Action was approved on 4 February 2008, meaning that only the final approval is required; it is expected to be given on 18 February 2008. [ [http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=04&nav_id=47473 B92 - News - Politics - EU adopts Kosovo mission plan in urgent procedure ] ]

Spain will not take part in EULEX mission until legal questions over how it will replace the UN administration are answered. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos told a meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers in Slovenia that Spain will not send its contingent to the EULEX mission until there has been a formal transfer of powers from the United Nations. [cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9028/|title=Spain Holds Staff From EU Kosovo Missiondead link|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9028/|date=June 2008]

Apart from EU members, third parties Croatia, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway and the United States will also take part. [ [http://vijesti.hrt.hr/content/view/41126/11/ Croatia in Kosovo mission] ]

Political situation

thumb|250px|A map of EU member states and their stance on recognising Kosovo's independence">
Key:
legend|#008000|recognises Kosovolegend|#FFD700|undecided or has postponed decision on recognising KosovoThe EU's has been attempting to lead on the issue of Kosovo through its involvement but has been divided on whether to recognise an independent Kosovo (for individual member states' stances on recognising Kosovo, see map to the right) without international and Serbian approval. The agreement was seen as ensuring the unity of the EU on the question, however the Presidency announced it would not amount to recognition of an independent Kosovo.Vucheva, Elitsa and Renata Goldirova (2007-12-14) [http://euobserver.com/9/25346 EU agrees on Kosovo mission] , EU Observer]

The EU has stated its mission will be legally based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which introduced the international rule of Kosovo in 1999. However, the EU force, which was previously planned to be convered by Security council's approval of Ahtisaari proposal, has not received a new U.N. Security Council mandate due to the opposition from Russia. Russia specifically blocked transfer of U.N. facility to the EU mission. [http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11585306] [http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11460102] Serbia also views the mission as an EU recognition of an independent Kosovo.Vucheva, Elitsa (2007-12-17) [http://euobserver.com/9/25350 EU Kosovo mission 'unacceptable' for Serbia] , EU Observer]

Troops sent to Kosovo

*flag|Germany: Germany is sending around 600 troops as peace keepers. [http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4WAXzEa21TIzTrAk4aL7S3ECZcw"British troops arrive in Kosovo"] "ukpress.google.com" 24 May 2008 Link accessed 24/05/08]
*flag|Italy: Italy is sending around 600 troops as peace keepers.
*UK: On 25 April 2008, the UK announced that it will to send a battle-group based on 2 Rifles, a light infantry battalion of about 600 soldiers, to help maintain public order. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/25/military.kosovo "New mission for British troops in Kosovo"] "guardian.co.uk" 25 April Link Added 25 April 2008]

ee also

* Overseas interventions of the European Union
* Kosovo status process
* European Union Planning Team for Kosovo (EUPTK) [ [http://www.eupt-kosovo.eu/new/index.php European Union Planning Team for Kosovo (EUPTK)] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu Official website] .
* [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:042:0092:0098:EN:PDF Council Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP] .
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7254369.stm Viewpoint: The EU's toughest operation] , BBC News.


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