On 3 August, the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Giovanni Pietro Barbano, talked in two separate interviews with Klan Kosova and with Euronews Serbia about the role and mandate of EULEX, and about the recent positive developments in northern Kosovo, including the reduction of Kosovo Police presence in and around municipal buildings of the northern municipalities.

Talking to Klan Kosova, Barbano confirmed that EULEX welcomed the initial announcement of a reduction of 25% of the police presence in the vicinity of the municipal buildings in northern Kosovo, as well as the announcement of an additional reduction of 25%, done by the Kosovo Police’s Director, which he said it is a positive signal of lowering tensions.

Barbano also explained the mandate of the Mission, which is to support selected rule-of-law institutions on their path towards increased effectiveness, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, free from political interference and in line with international human rights standards and best European practices.

In his interview with Euronews Serbia, Barbano explained the engagement of the Mission in defining with the Kosovo Police the technical details regarding the joint security assessments to be conducted between EULEX and the Kosovo Police, and with KFOR as appropriate.

The Head of EULEX also highlighted the Mission’s robust monitoring of selected cases, which covers the entire chain of criminal justice as well as civil justice cases, aiming at assessing the compliance of Kosovo institutions with international human rights standards and best European practices.

Watch the full interview with Klan Kosova, in Albanian language at: https://youtu.be/ts25wh9G0CM

Read the Euronews Serbia’s article in Serbian language at: Šef Misije EULEX za Euronews Srbija: Radimo sa vlastima u Prištini na tome da se smanji prisustvo policije na severu