European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo

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EULEX Kosovo
operation area KosovoKosovo Kosovo
German name European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo)
English name European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo)
Based on UN resolution 1244
Type of mission civil rule of law mission
Beginning 2008
status ongoing
management Lars-Gunnar Wigemark
Operating strength (max.) 800 total
costs 63.6 million euros (budget year June 2016 - June 2017)
Location of the operational area Kosovo in its region.svg

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (short: EULEX Kosovo ) is a civilian mission of the European Union , under which in the meantime up to 2,000 policemen, judges, prison guards and customs officials in Kosovo were sent. They are supposed to help the country develop the police, judiciary and administration and have far-reaching powers that are independent of the administration of Kosovo. They are supported by around 1,000 local people. It is a predominantly technical mission that has an observational and advisory role. In some cases, however, the mission also performs executive tasks, which include judicial and police measures. In February 2008, the management of the mission was initially transferred to the former French General Yves de Kermabon . Currently, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark Head of Mission.

Organization and background

Is hedged military EULEX Kosovo from KFOR troupe of NATO that the commissioned United Nations to prevent continued violence in the multi-ethnic area whose residents to Albania or Serbia but see belong or as citizens of an independent state.

The mission is based on a joint action by the EU Council within the framework of the common foreign and security policy . The Council bases its authority under international law to carry out the mission on individual paragraphs of Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council of 10 June 1999, which in an overall view legitimized the deployment of the mission. However, this view is problematic because, as previously understood, Resolution 1244 refers solely to an international civil presence under the leadership of the United Nations ( UNMIK ); such an EU deployment is not planned there. The legality of the mission is therefore e.g. B. disputed by Serbia and Russia . No confirmatory resolution can be expected from the UN Security Council either, due to the differing attitudes of its permanent members on the Kosovo question.

At the same time as the establishment of EULEX Kosovo, the EU created the post of Special Representative of the European Union in Kosovo and filled it with the Dutchman Pieter Feith . The special envoy is to implement the political goals of the European Union in Kosovo:

"One of these goals is to take a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in implementing a settlement for the future status of Kosovo in order to achieve a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo, who contributes to cooperation and stability in the region on the basis of good neighborly relations and who is committed to the rule of law and the protection of minorities and cultural and religious heritage. "

- Joint Action 2008/123 / CFSP of the Council of 4 February 2008, Art. 2

In particular, he should give the head of EULEX Kosovo political recommendations for action on site.

The costs of the first 16 months of the mission were initially estimated at 205 million euros .

The mission was originally limited to June 14, 2010. As things currently stand, it will end on June 14, 2018 as a result of a four-fold extension. The headquarters are in the Kosovar capital Pristina .

Germany is involved with around 80 police officers and 35 civilian experts.

development

A small visible success of the mission was the opening of two border crossings between the warring neighboring states of Serbia and Kosovo in mid-December 2012. The joint management of border crossings between the countries began in Jarinje (northern Kosovo) and Merdare (southern Serbia). The compromise on border management was enforced by the European Union . The EU made it a prerequisite for Serbia's further rapprochement with the EU.

In August 2016, the EU announced that it would cut its staff in half from 1,600 to 800 by December of the same year. This is in connection with the assumption of larger areas of responsibility by the judicial and police authorities of Kosovo .

Assessments

The left nationalist party Vetëvendosje! is one of the greatest opponents of the EU mission. She does not agree with an international presence and observation in Kosovo and demands the complete sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo, not an "EU protectorate". The party's critical stance is not new: Vetëvendosje already has against the UN mission UNMIK ! ( German  "Self-determination!" ) with many demonstrations, rallies and actions expressed his protest attitude.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ What is EULEX Kosovo. EU, accessed on May 27, 2017 .
  2. ↑ Decision (CFSP) 2016/947 , accessed on May 27, 2017
  3. ^ MGFA, Guide to History, Kosovo, 3rd edition, 2008, contribution by D. Rossbacher (PDF; 1.2 MB)
  4. ↑ What is EULEX? EU, accessed on September 29, 2017 .
  5. ^ Executive Division. EU, accessed on September 29, 2017 .
  6. ↑ Decision of the Political and Security Committee EULEX / 1/2008 of 7 February 2008, OJ EU L 42, p. 99 .
  7. ↑ What is EULEX Kosovo. EU, accessed on May 27, 2017 .
  8. ↑ Joint Action 2008/124 / CFSP of the Council of 4 February 2008, OJ EU L 42, p. 92 .
  9. ^ MGFA, Guide to History, Kosovo, 3rd edition, 2008, article by T. Breitenwieser (PDF; 2.8 MB)
  10. ↑ Joint Action 2008/123 / CFSP of the Council of 4 February 2008, OJ EU L 42, p. 88 .
  11. ↑ PPIO: EULEX New Mandate - EULEX Press Releases - EULEX, Kosovo, European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EU, European Union, European Union External Action. Retrieved February 8, 2017 .
  12. ^ Andreas Wittkowsky / Holger Kasch: Test case Kosovo. (PDF; 437 kB) Interim review of European conflict management. Center for International Peace Operations , May 2012, p. 2 , accessed October 5, 2012 .
  13. ↑ The EU's Kosovo mission is being shut down significantly. Retrieved August 1, 2016 .

literature

Web links