Pavkovic: The existence of EULEX is a sign that Kosovo does not enjoy full sovereignty

As long as EULEX exists, it is a sign that Kosovo does not have sufficiently strong institutions, that it does not enjoy full sovereignty, and that external monitoring of institutions is being carried out, which is a thorn in the side of the government in Pristina and many officials, Milos Pavkovic, associate of the European Policy Centre in Belgrade, says for Kosovo Online.

Kosovo politicians, he notes, would like EULEX to leave, as that would mean less oversight, increased sovereignty, and more freedom of action, especially when it comes to the Serbian community.

"EULEX is absolutely necessary because it performs several very important functions, the first of which is security. The mission has 105 police officers who serve as support and as a secondary police force in Kosovo, alongside the Kosovo Police, which is responsible for security and public order. The second important function of EULEX is monitoring the work of the police, which has proven essential, especially in light of recent events and the unprofessional conduct of the Kosovo Police, which has frequently been in the spotlight in recent years," Pavkovic emphasizes.

The third function, our interlocutor adds, is support for the judicial system, namely, the training of judges and prosecutors, as well as enabling translation services, particularly in the north. He also points out a fourth important function: EULEX’s connection and international cooperation with Interpol and Europol, as well as with Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in terms of document and information exchange.

"In light of all this, and in light of the crisis in the dialogue and the lack of communication between the institutions in Pristina and Belgrade, EULEX is absolutely a necessary link, and for that reason, I expect that EULEX's mandate will be extended without any problems," Pavkovic says.

He notes that EULEX’s mandate is extended by the Council of the European Union and that Kosovo politicians have no influence in this process, nor do they have any ability to affect the extension or termination of EULEX, which was established in 2008 by a decision of the EU Council and whose mandate was last extended two years ago, until June 14, 2025.

The extension of EULEX’s mandate until June 2027 was announced by Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during her visit to Pristina last week.