"UNMIK-EULEX reconfiguration possible"

Yves de Kermabon says that talks are under way over a “possible reconfiguration” of the international presence in Kosovo, though he did not go into any details. “Talks between the EU and UN on a possible reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo are under way, but it’s not my place to discuss political matters. My job is to be on the ground, and to keep tuned in to people’s expectations,” Kermabon told journalists after a visit to Dobrotin, a Serb village in the municipality of Lipljan. "UNMIK-EULEX reconfiguration possible" He stressed that he expected the EU mission to be established throughout Kosovo as soon as possible. De Kermabon said that he was very eager to speak with everyone to hear people’s opinions, so that the mission could begin its work in the best possible manner, in the interests of all Kosovo’s residents, regardless of nationality. The EULEX chief added that he had visited Dobrotin to gain a better understanding of people’s expectations, because the mission’s arrival in the province was in their interests. Asked whether EULEX could begin operating throughout Kosovo without a prior agreement between the UN secretary-general and the EU, he repeated that EULEX was a mission backed by all 27 EU member-states. De Kermabon stressed that the EU had given him a mandate to establish the mission, and that that was his responsibility. According to the EULEX chief, today’s talks with Serbs in Dobrotin had been the first step to finding a solution. He was accompanied on his visit to the village by Kosovo Labor and Social Welfare Minister Nenad Rasic who said that they had discussed with locals EULEX’s role, and how the mission could ensure greater rights for the Serb community, which was going through a delicate and sensitive phase. Rasic stressed that he and his ministry would continue to keep de Kermabon up-to-date on the problems of the Serb community and proposals for potential solutions because, as he put it, the survival of the Serb community in Kosovo had no alternative. The village the minister hails from was visited last month by Head of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Eastern Europe Doris Pack. Yves de Kermabon (Photo courtesy of EUPT Kosovo)

"UNMIK-EULEX reconfiguration possible"

He stressed that he expected the EU mission to be established throughout Kosovo as soon as possible.

De Kermabon said that he was very eager to speak with everyone to hear people’s opinions, so that the mission could begin its work in the best possible manner, in the interests of all Kosovo’s residents, regardless of nationality.

The EULEX chief added that he had visited Dobrotin to gain a better understanding of people’s expectations, because the mission’s arrival in the province was in their interests.

Asked whether EULEX could begin operating throughout Kosovo without a prior agreement between the UN secretary-general and the EU, he repeated that EULEX was a mission backed by all 27 EU member-states.

De Kermabon stressed that the EU had given him a mandate to establish the mission, and that that was his responsibility.

According to the EULEX chief, today’s talks with Serbs in Dobrotin had been the first step to finding a solution.

He was accompanied on his visit to the village by Kosovo Labor and Social Welfare Minister Nenad Rašić who said that they had discussed with locals EULEX’s role, and how the mission could ensure greater rights for the Serb community, which was going through a delicate and sensitive phase.

Rašić stressed that he and his ministry would continue to keep de Kermabon up-to-date on the problems of the Serb community and proposals for potential solutions because, as he put it, the survival of the Serb community in Kosovo had no alternative.

The village the minister hails from was visited last month by Head of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Eastern Europe Doris Pack.