Joelle Vachter is a unique woman. A colonel in the French Gendarmerie, her career flourished in a field where few women tread. Not only did she lead the Crisis Management Office of the French Ministry of Interior, but she also became the very first female colonel of the French army specialising in crowd and riot control. However, faced with the prospect of rising to the rank of a general at home, or packing her suitcase to go into the unknown and apply her expertise overseas, Joelle says she easily made her mind up. 

"For me it was not a difficult choice to make, because I love working with people of different nationalities and different cultural backgrounds", she points out explaining what it was about working abroad that enticed her.

Before joining EULEX as Deputy Head of the Mission, Joelle worked in several Missions around the world, assisting countries in transition and international organisations with her expertise on security and the police matters.

Armed with masters in Law and Public Administration from the University of Sorbonne and years of police and military experience, Joelle worked in Germany, Albania, the Ivory Coast and UN Headquarters in New York. However, her most regular Mission destination has been Kosovo, where she has worked on three separate occasions for UNMIK, KFOR and EULEX.

When she first came to Kosovo in 2000, she was shocked by its devastation. "I was especially touched when I saw family houses, split open, roofless, with parts of furniture left behind and broken walls, this really drove home the impact of conflict on an individual level". I am glad to see that most of them are now repaired", she says. She is quick to point out that Kosovo has changed completely since the aftermath of the conflict, when she visited it for the first time.

As Deputy Head of the EULEX Mission, she sees her role as facilitator within the Mission. "I get involved in issues that have been brewing for some time. If they have made it up to my level, it usually means they have become blocked. I try to make it possible for the case to continue on a new basis. I take this role seriously", Joelle points out.

"What I like most is dealing with human beings. I had an opportunity to practice law as a lawyer, but I did not want to sit at my desk buried by tons of paper. I wanted direct contact with people. To try to understand how they feel in their work environment and help settle some of their problems", Joelle says.

Her main motive for being in the Mission is to help strengthen Kosovo institutions, to apply the rule of law throughout Kosovo.
"Strong institutions founded on the rule of law are the basis of any democratic country. Our goal as a Mission is to improve and raise standards here. To help all Kosovo institutions become the part of the international community before we leave".

She points out that lot was achieved so far. The two divisions of EULEX, strengthening and executive operate in mutual harmony in order to develop and implement the rule of law in Kosovo. Whilst strengthening division provides support for Kosovo's justice system, police and customs service, the executive branch of the EULEX adjudicates cases of organised crime, corruption, property, privatisation and war crime cases.

From increased professionalism of Kosovo Police, to providing assistance enabling implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Road Map and drafting or reviewing over 110 laws, administrative instructions and regulations to the certification of over 12,000 civil registry books copied in Serbia, EULEX has made, according to Joelle, an utmost effort to ensure a strong legislative and institutional framework for the rule of law.

Referring to EULEX's most visible function dealing with the implementation of the rule of law, Joelle highlights that EULEX judges delivered over 500 verdicts in cases involving corruption, organised crime, money laundering, war crimes and human trafficking. But this is not all, she points out: "EULEX judges leave detailed judgements in serious cases and these are available to current Kosovo judges and prosecutors"
The Mission has also worked hard to support the normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, in accordance to Brussels led Dialogue.
"Kosovo has so far made great progress. Yet, a lot remains to be done for the benefit of its citizens. We are getting there. EULEX stands ready to assist and we know our time is limited. It is important we help the local institutions to accomplish as much as possible before we leave", Joelle concludes.
As a woman making her way in a male-dominated world, Joelle is happy to see many of her Kosovo counterparts also taking an active role in the public life. She points out that France is rather traditional about the role of women, imposing quotas for women representation in official functions. Joelle thinks women themselves, taking an effective approach can make a difference.
"It is important that women are granted the same rights, but they do also have to find their own way, be more self-sufficient and self-reliant. I sometimes find the quotas quite patronising to us women", Joelle says.
Having spent the last 14 years of her life in and out of Kosovo, Joelle feels attachment and dedication to its progress in all areas, but especially in the rule of law.
"I have real commitment to Kosovo. My stay here represents the longest commitment to any country I have made in my entire life. I am glad I was able to make even a small contribution to building a new Kosovo", she stresses.

She is certain that EULEX has provided real support for this new-born place. "We sometimes forget that this new Kosovo is only six years old. A lot has been done and lot remains to be done. All the same, before I depart, I'd like to have a feeling that we as a Mission have given our best", Joelle concludes.