The Mission
EULEX Kosovo was launched in 2008 as the largest civilian mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. EULEX’s overall mission is to assist the Kosovo authorities in establishing sustainable and independent rule of law institutions. The Mission’s current mandate has been launched to cover the period until 14 June 2020 based on Council Decision CFSP 2018/856. EULEX works within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
EULEX Mission supports relevant rule of law institutions in Kosovo on their path towards increased effectiveness, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, free from political interference and in full compliance with EU best practices. Within its current mandate, the Mission undertakes monitoring activities and has limited executive functions. The Mission continues to support the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in line with relevant Kosovo legislation.
The Mandate
EULEX Kosovo implements its mandate through Monitoring and Operations Pillars.
The Monitoring Pillar monitors selected cases and trials in the Kosovo justice system. The Pillar focuses its monitoring activities on selected cases which were dealt with by EULEX under its previous mandate that ended in mid-June 2018 and were later handed over to the local judiciary as well as other cases that may affect Kosovo’s European path.
The Monitoring Pillar also supports the Kosovo Correctional Service in developing a consolidated and professional senior management team as well as sustainable capacities to counter undue interference and preferential treatment of inmates.
EULEX continues to provide technical support to the implementation of relevant agreements of the EU-facilitated Dialogue on normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Operational functions are undertaken by the Mission’s Operations Pillar which maintains a limited residual capability as a second security responder and provides continued support to Kosovo Police’s crowd and riot control capability. The Mission continues to manage its witness protection programme and assists the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office with logistic and operational support in line with relevant Kosovo legislation.
Quick Facts:
Mandate: until 14 June 2020
Reconfiguration period: until 14 December 2018
Head of EULEX Kosovo: Ms Alexandra Papadopoulou
Authorised strength: 503 staff
Headquarters: Pristina, Kosovo
Legal Background: EU Joint Action of February 2008 and subsequent Council Decisions of June 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018.
EULEX is supported by all 28 European Union Member States and five Contributing States (Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States).
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