European Union Civilian Operations Commander Hansjörg Haber travelled to Kosovo to commemorate EULEX staff member Audrius Šenavičius, who was murdered yesterday in an attack in northern Kosovo. Hansjörg Haber, accompanied by EULEX Head of Mission, Bernd Borchardt, addressed EULEX staff in Mitrovica and Pristina.

At the beginning of the meeting at EULEX Headquarters in Farmed, EULEX staff, alongside Mr Borchardt and Mr Haber, observed a minute of silence to commemorate Audrius.

In his address to staff, Mr Haber said:

"I have come to Kosovo today to express solidarity and sympathy and commemorate our fallen colleague Audrius Šenavičius together with you. This is a tragic event and it is important that you know that you are supported and valued by the highest leadership levels in Brussels. I have every confidence that our police and judicial personnel, working together with the Kosovo police and judicial institutions, will conduct a thorough investigation into the tragic event of yesterday".

A condolence book was opened in which EULEX colleagues and officials from the Kosovo institutions, diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organisations can express their condolences to the family of Audrius. President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, Minister of Interior Bajram Rexhepi and Speaker of Parliament Jakup Krasniqi were among the officials who signed the condolence register today.

Audrius was a EULEX Customs Officer who worked as part of the regular shifts at the northern gates. His first deployment with the Mission was between April 2010 and May 2011 as a Customs Revenue Officer, and he began his second deployment as a Customs Officer in August 2012. Before his deployment with EULEX, he was as a Senior Inspector for the Lithuanian Customs department in Lithuania. Audrius leaves behind a wife and two sons.