Prishtina, 11 July – President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaçi, has agreed to a one-year technical extension of the mandate of the EULEX mission in an Exchange of letters with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell. The technical extension is agreed after the pandemic prevented negotiations for the future of the EULEX mandate.
In the Exchange of letters, President Thaçi says that “in order to ensure the continuity of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (“EULEX KOSOVA”) for the duration of the extraordinary circumstances Kosovo agrees to a technical extension of EULEX Kosovo, at the latest until June 14th 2021.”
President Thaçi also expressed support for the Mission, confirming that the Kosovo institutions “continue to fully support EULEX KOSOVA mandate” in accordance with the relevant documents signed until now.
In his reply, High Representative Borrell confirmed that “I therefore accept your agreement to a one-year technical extension of EULEX Kosovo until 14 June 2021” and reiterated EU’s support for Kosovo, in particular the support during these “unprecedented challenges” caused by the pandemic.
EU representatives, speaking also on behalf of the EU member states, have informed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was impossible to hold meetings to review EU missions, including EULEX Kosovo, and have asked for understanding by the national authorities for a one-year technical extension of the current mandates.
EULEX mandate has been negotiated every two years, gradually decreasing and transferring competences to the local authorities.