EULEX to remain in Kosovo

The mission will be somewhat reduced in number but the mandate for war crimes investigation is still valid, Tanjug learnt from a European diplomat informed about the contents of the consultations concerning the extension of the EULEX mandate due to expire in June 2014. He thus denied the reports by Pristina according to which the EU is preparing to hand over all the investigation into war crimes and organised crime to the Pristina judiciary and the EULEX mission in Kosovo would be in charge of the implementation of the Brussels agreement alone as of summer 2014. “There is no doubt Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci would like to see this happen but a majority of people believe that the Kosovo judiciary has not matured enough to tackle major cases in the field,” the press source said. Commenting on the statements by certain Kosovo officials and reports by Pristina press concerning a drastic reduction of the EULEX mandate, the European diplomat who wished to stay anonymous qualified these allegations as propaganda campaign and recalled that similar announcements were made ahead of the extension of the EULEX mandate last year and these too failed to realise. Brussels observers believe that wishes of Pristina for EULEX to stop working are understandable since several of Taci's closest associates are currently subjects of investigations and trials concerning corruption and war crimes against non-Albanian population. Spokeswoman of the high EU representative for foreign affairs and security policy Maja Kocijancic told the press that the review of the achievements by EULEX so far is still under way and that a new EULEX mandate would be discussed after its completion. Diplomatic sources say that the special team in charge of the investigation into Dick Marty's allegations concerning human organ trafficking would also continue unless the investigation is not completed by June. “We are waiting for the report of special investigator john Clint Williamson after which we will see what to do next,” the press diplomatic source said. EU member countries should decide on the future EULEX mandate in cooperation with the European External Action Service by June.