19 September 2011

The Head of EULEX, Xavier de Marnhac, has visited Gates 1 and 31 at Jarinje and Brnjak. He met EULEX, KFOR, Kosovo Police and Kosovo Customs personnel. He praised the work of EULEX and expressed his appreciation for the support provided by KFOR.

‘EULEX Police and Customs, working closely with KFOR soldiers, are here to support the rule of law in this part of Kosovo. I commend their dedication and work under these challenging circumstances,” said de Marnhac.

Both Gates are technically ready to be fully operational, but the barricades that have been put up in nearby roads prevent the Gates from opening. De Marnhac called on the barricades to be removed:

‘This harms the people. We have made this move to improve the flow of goods and their (the peoples’) ability to access them, and I think any step that’s hindering that is just against the population,” said the head of EULEX.

The international community, including the EU and NATO, are supporting attempts to restore normal trade relations and the lifting of the trade embargoes.