Politics
Kosovo: EU mission runs into trouble, but leaders optimistic
Brussels, 26 May (AKI) – The deployment of the European Union mission in Kosovo (EULEX) is facing difficulties, but EU ministers at a meeting in Brussels on Monday expressed the hope that the operation will be completed possibly with slight delay.
The EU has decided to send a mission to Kosovo to implement the independence declared by majority ethnic Albanians last February, with the support of western powers. The mission was to replace the United Nations administration (UNMIK) but it ran into legal problems because Belgrade, which opposes Kosovo independence, and its ally Russia, oppose the move.
“The deployment is going on slowly, but surely, and I hope that the mission will be more or less there by the time the new Kosovo constitution takes effect,” Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which presides over the EU told journalists in Brussels.
The new constitution is scheduled to take effect on 15 June, but Kosovo minority Serbs oppose the deployment, especially in northern, Serb populated part of the province.
Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic told the meeting no change of the mission could take place without the approval of the UN Security Council, where Serbia counts on the support of Moscow, which has already blocked independence move in the UN policy-making body.
Asked whether the mission could be deployed in Kosovo, excluding Serb populated north, Rupel said: “It wouldn’t be in line with our decision.”
Kosovo was put under UN control in 1999 based on Resolution 1244, which officially treats Kosovo as part of Serbia. Consequently, Belgrade recognizes no other authority in Kosovo except the UN mission.
French foreign minister Bernard Koutchner said EULEX and UNMIK may have to function simultaneously for a while until “a good model of functioning with the UN is found”.
Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn said the situation may improve if Serbia formed a pro-European government following the 11 May election.
“If we get a pro-European government, perhaps we won’t solve the Kosovo problem, but would certainly reduce tensions there,” Asselborn said.
The EU has decided to send a mission to Kosovo to implement the independence declared by majority ethnic Albanians last February, with the support of western powers. The mission was to replace the United Nations administration (UNMIK) but it ran into legal problems because Belgrade, which opposes Kosovo independence, and its ally Russia, oppose the move.
“The deployment is going on slowly, but surely, and I hope that the mission will be more or less there by the time the new Kosovo constitution takes effect,” Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which presides over the EU told journalists in Brussels.
The new constitution is scheduled to take effect on 15 June, but Kosovo minority Serbs oppose the deployment, especially in northern, Serb populated part of the province.
Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic told the meeting no change of the mission could take place without the approval of the UN Security Council, where Serbia counts on the support of Moscow, which has already blocked independence move in the UN policy-making body.
Asked whether the mission could be deployed in Kosovo, excluding Serb populated north, Rupel said: “It wouldn’t be in line with our decision.”
Kosovo was put under UN control in 1999 based on Resolution 1244, which officially treats Kosovo as part of Serbia. Consequently, Belgrade recognizes no other authority in Kosovo except the UN mission.
French foreign minister Bernard Koutchner said EULEX and UNMIK may have to function simultaneously for a while until “a good model of functioning with the UN is found”.
Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn said the situation may improve if Serbia formed a pro-European government following the 11 May election.
“If we get a pro-European government, perhaps we won’t solve the Kosovo problem, but would certainly reduce tensions there,” Asselborn said.
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