Statement from Michael Mann, Chief Spokesperson for EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton

"Respecting and strengthening Rule of Law is an essential part of Kosovo's path in moving closer to the European Union. As a fundamental principle of any modern, democratic society, political interference in the judicial process is unacceptable.

EULEX was invited by the Kosovo authorities to help Kosovo and we expect the Kosovo authorities to support EULEX in this work.

The EU fully supports the work of its Rule of Law mission in Kosovo. EULEX and all its staff, in particular the judges and prosecutors, have the full support of the twenty seven Member States of the EU. "