EU: Return of Serbian judges and prosecutors in Kosovo being considered within the normalization process

The issue of reintegrating Serbian judges and prosecutors into Kosovo's judicial system is being considered within the broader framework of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, an EU spokesperson said in a written response to Radio Free Europe.

"The European Union has consistently called on Serbia to encourage, and on Kosovo to facilitate, the reintegration of judicial personnel from the Serbian community, in line with the agreements reached in the Dialogue and Kosovo's legal framework," the written response said, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

The EU added that it continues to encourage both Kosovo and Serbia to create the necessary conditions for implementing these commitments and to "refrain from actions that could further complicate this process."

Members of the Serbian community withdrew from Kosovo institutions at the end of November 2022 in protest against the Kosovo Government's efforts to abolish vehicle registration plates for Kosovo municipalities issued by Serbia.

In addition to police officers and municipal employees, around 130 judges, prosecutors and judicial administrative staff in the Serb-majority municipalities of North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok also resigned.

The issue of the unresolved resignations resurfaced after Kosovo's Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, requested in mid-June that the Kosovo Judicial Council and the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council complete all related procedures without delay, arguing that the prolonged process was affecting the normal functioning of the judicial system.

In a response to Radio Free Europe, the Kosovo Judicial Council confirmed that it had received Haxhiu's letter on June 19 and stated that the matter would be considered at one of its upcoming sessions, in accordance with its constitutional and legal competencies.

No response was received from the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council.

Kosovo Online examined why Haxhiu has reopened the issue of the resignations of Serbian judges and prosecutors and what obstacles stand in the way of their reintegration in the analysis entitled: "The Return of Serbian Judges and Prosecutors to Kosovo's Judicial System: Why Is Haxhiu Insisting on the Formal Acceptance of Their Resignations Now?"