European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Baroness Catherine Ashton, sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, to officially inform her about the dispatch of the EU Monitoring mission, which will observe the municipal elections which are due to be held in the Republic of Kosovo on November 3rd, 2013.
The letter states:
Honourable Madam President,
I would like to thank you for your invitation to monitor the municipal elections which will be held on November 3rd, 2013. As you know, the EU preparatory mission, which visited Kosovo in August, has confirmed that an EU Elections Observation Mission would be welcome, as an important contribution towards establishment of trust in electoral process.
November 3rd elections represent a significant step for Kosovo’s future and for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Prishtina, and I have been closely monitoring the preparations in the context of the EU facilitated dialogue process. On September 8th, we have reviewed the progress together with Prime Minister Thaçi and Prime Minister Dacic, to ensure a just electoral process with an all inclusive participation.
After consultations with member states and European Parliament, I am pleased to inform you that an EU Election Observation Mission will be sent. I am convinced that the mission will contribute towards the improvement of the transparency of the process and I have instructed our officials to contact the relevant authorities in order to discuss all technical aspects before the dispatching of the Election Observation Mission.
Sincerely,
Catherine Ashton