EULEX could stay in Kosovo until 2014

The EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, which has authority over justice, police and customs, could stay in Kosovo until 2014.

The mandate is two years, but EULEX will leave Kosovo once the government is experienced enough to guarantee the rule of law for all its citizens, EULEX spokesperson Irina Gudeljevic said. 

EULEX will gradually withdraw from Kosovo based on progress made regarding the rule of law, she stated. The mission’s program report is the key to measuring that progress strategically, she added.

EU thinks that EULEX should stay in Kosovo for at least another two or three years, “in order to assist Kosovo’s institutions and investigate difficult cases”.