On 16 November, the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, gave an interview to Kossev, where he discussed the latest security developments in northern Kosovo and the role of EULEX as second security responder in maintaining stability for all communities in Kosovo.

Wigemark commented on the overall situation stating that it is calm, but, in terms of security, it is still very fragile, due to the security vacuum created after the resignation of Kosovo Serb Police Officers.

EULEX’s Head explained the current presence of EULEX police officers in northern Kosovo: “Not all of them are engaged at once, they work in shifts. First of all, they conduct mobile reconnaissance patrols, and as of today [16 November] they also started with foot patrols in Mitrovica and elsewhere, simply to show presence, to show that we are there,” he said.

Regarding the Mission’s role as Kosovo’s second security responder and its increased presence in northern Kosovo, Wigemark explained that EULEX provides support to the Kosovo Police, and, unlike KFOR, the Mission is a civilian organization: “We cannot take over and replace the Kosovo Police,” he emphasized.

Wigemark concluded the interview by calling on everyone to remain calm, to not contribute to tensions in any way, and to avoid any inflammatory rhetoric: “This is a sensitive situation, tensions are high, and I think that we should all do our best to reduce those tensions,” he stated.

Full interview: https://kossev.info/vigermark-euelex-od-danas-u-pesackim-patrolama-na-severu-ali-oni-ne-mogu-da-zamene-kosovsku-policiju/