EU: Decision on resignations of Serbian judges incompatible with Kosovo law and the rule of law

Under its Constitution, Kosovo is a multiethnic society governed by the rule of law, and its judicial system must reflect Kosovo’s ethnic diversity, an EU spokesperson said following the decision of the Kosovo Judicial Council to reject the request by Serbian judges and court staff to withdraw their resignations and return to the judicial system.

The EU spokesperson further stated that Brussels had consistently called on Kosovo to enable the reintegration of Kosovo Serb judicial personnel, in accordance with Kosovo law and the agreements reached within the Dialogue.

“The EU welcomed the withdrawal of resignations submitted on 15 July 2026 by Kosovo Serb judges, prosecutors and support staff. The EU deeply regrets yesterday’s decision by the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) to accept the resignations of Kosovo Serb judges that had already been withdrawn. This follows similar decisions taken by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) and the Acting President in July concerning the resignations of Kosovo Serb prosecutors,” the EU stated.

It further stressed that these decisions appeared to be incompatible with Kosovo law, due process, and the general requirements of the rule of law in Kosovo.

“They are also contrary to the principles of a multiethnic judiciary, damaging the confidence of the Kosovo Serb community and undermining efforts toward the sustainable return of Kosovo Serbs to Kosovo institutions. The EU calls on all relevant actors to create the conditions for a multiethnic judiciary, in full compliance with Kosovo law, due process and the commitments undertaken within the EU-facilitated Dialogue,” the EU spokesperson concluded.