27 October, 2011

The Head of EULEX, Xavier de Marnhac, has visited Gates 1 and 31 at Jarinje and Brnjak together with Mr. Gilles Janvier, the Chief of Staff of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), which oversees all civilian missions of the EU. Mr. Janvier was on a regular several day visit to Kosovo and had working meetings with all components of EULEX.

Mr. Janvier and Mr. de Marnhac went to the Gates to get an up to date picture of the current situation on the ground and to meet with EULEX’s police and customs officers. EULEX staff provided Mr. Janvier and Mr. de Marnhac with the latest information on the progress in improving living conditions at Gate 1 and preparatory works on repairs and the reconstruction of the gate, where facilities were damaged during violent incidents at the end of July. At the gates, EULEX is working closely with KFOR soldiers.

Mr. de Marnhac said:

“It is very important for us to talk to the police and customs officers and to hear about their work from them directly. They are doing a great job to uphold the rule of law in challenging circumstances. I would like to thank our police and customs officers for their continuous hard work.

At both gates EULEX customs and police officers are working to implement the agreement on customs stamps, which was reached in Brussels on 2 September in the framework of the EU facilitated Dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.