EULEX receives green light

The Security Council has given its unanimous backing to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s plan for UNMIK reconfiguration, thus opening the doors for EULEX. During the debate, ambassadors from Security Council member states supported Ban’s plan for the reconfiguration of UNMIK and deployment of EULEX in Kosovo. EULEX receives green light Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic welcomed the secretary-general’s report, calling on the authorities in Pristina to respect the will of the international community. The Pristina government remains the only one to oppose the plan. During the debate, Jeremic said that the key condition for Serbia to accept the reconfiguration was the EU’s clear commitment that EULEX would have neutral status and would function fully under UN auspices and in line with Resolution 1244. “After months of arduous negotiations I’m glad to be able to say that an agreement has been reached. Its details have been put before us in the secretary general’s report. This dialogue will continue. Serbia will be constructive in these difficult talks with the UN, adhering to its principled position on Kosovo, which is part of our Constitution and Resolution 1244,“ said the minister. “The report confirms the neutral status of EULEX’s engagement, which is a guarantee that not a single part of its mandate can be based on the Ahtisaari Plan for Kosovo independence that the Republic of Serbia has rejected, and that the Security Council never approved,“ he added. Jeremic said that he was saddened by the position adopted by the authorities in Pristina, adding that it was very significant that, in spite of everything, application of the six-point plan and deployment of the EULEX mission would take place. Jeremic said that speedy accession to the EU was Serbia’s priority, as it should be for all other UN member-states from the Western Balkans. “Serbia, an intact Serbia, with Kosovo as its constituent part, will become an EU member in a few years. We will join the EU with heads held high, with our sovereignty and territorial integrity preserved. That’s why Serbia will never, under any circumstances, recognize Kosovo’s independence,“ the minister underlined. Just prior to the session, Kosovo’s foreign policy chief Skender Hyseni’s motion to address the Security Council was adopted, and in his address, he rejected the secretary general’s plan, calling it unacceptable and in breach of the Kosovo constitution. Pristina, he said, supported the deployment of the EU mission in the province, but not with neutral status as envisioned by Ban’s plan, but in line with the Ahtisaari Plan and the Kosovo constitution. The permanent representatives of France, the U.S. and Italy said in New York that EULEX would work within the framework of Resolution 1244, would be neutral and fully transparent. The British representative said that she did not agree with certain views expressed by Jeremic. The Security Council (FoNet, archive) EU hails adoption of six-point plan The EU has welcomed the adoption of the UN Secretary General’s report at the Security Council, Javier Solana’s spokeswoman said. Cristina Gallach said that the UN Security Council’s decision will enable the EU to prepare the first operational phase of the mission, adding that EULEX should become operational in early December. "We applaud the outcome of the UN Security Council session,” Gallach said, adding that Brussels was happy with the presidential statement that followed. EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana had discussed the EULEX situation with Serbian President Boris Tadic, she told Beta. Asked whether Solana would write letters to both Belgrade and Pristina about EULEX’s initial operational capability, Gallach told Beta that she did not know yet. Beta has seen a draft letter prepared by the EU Council of Ministers that could be sent to Pristina. The letter states that EULEX will perform its tasks based on “joint action” with “a single command chain leading up to the UN Security Council.” Because of Pristina’s position regarding the six-point agreement, the possibility of is left open of a review of any interim engagements in 2009, once the mission reaches operational capability through mechanisms of implementing the rule of law in Kosovo.

EULEX receives green light

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić welcomed the secretary-general’s report, calling on the authorities in Priština to respect the will of the international community.

The Priština government remains the only one to oppose the plan.

During the debate, Jeremić said that the key condition for Serbia to accept the reconfiguration was the EU’s clear commitment that EULEX would have neutral status and would function fully under UN auspices and in line with Resolution 1244.

“After months of arduous negotiations I’m glad to be able to say that an agreement has been reached. Its details have been put before us in the secretary general’s report. This dialogue will continue. Serbia will be constructive in these difficult talks with the UN, adhering to its principled position on Kosovo, which is part of our Constitution and Resolution 1244,“ said the minister.

“The report confirms the neutral status of EULEX’s engagement, which is a guarantee that not a single part of its mandate can be based on the Ahtisaari Plan for Kosovo independence that the Republic of Serbia has rejected, and that the Security Council never approved,“ he added.

Jeremić said that he was saddened by the position adopted by the authorities in Priština, adding that it was very significant that, in spite of everything, application of the six-point plan and deployment of the EULEX mission would take place.

Jeremić said that speedy accession to the EU was Serbia’s priority, as it should be for all other UN member-states from the Western Balkans.

“Serbia, an intact Serbia, with Kosovo as its constituent part, will become an EU member in a few years. We will join the EU with heads held high, with our sovereignty and territorial integrity preserved. That’s why Serbia will never, under any circumstances, recognize Kosovo’s independence,“ the minister underlined.

Just prior to the session, Kosovo’s foreign policy chief Skender Hyseni’s motion to address the Security Council was adopted, and in his address, he rejected the secretary general’s plan, calling it unacceptable and in breach of the Kosovo constitution.

Priština, he said, supported the deployment of the EU mission in the province, but not with neutral status as envisioned by Ban’s plan, but in line with the Ahtisaari Plan and the Kosovo constitution.

The permanent representatives of France, the U.S. and Italy said in New York that EULEX would work within the framework of Resolution 1244, would be neutral and fully transparent. The British representative said that she did not agree with certain views expressed by Jeremić.

EU hails adoption of six-point plan

The EU has welcomed the adoption of the UN Secretary General’s report at the Security Council, Javier Solana’s spokeswoman said.

Cristina Gallach said that the UN Security Council’s decision will enable the EU to prepare the first operational phase of the mission, adding that EULEX should become operational in early December.

"We applaud the outcome of the UN Security Council session,” Gallach said, adding that Brussels was happy with the presidential statement that followed.

EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana had discussed the EULEX situation with Serbian President Boris Tadić, she told Beta.

Asked whether Solana would write letters to both Belgrade and Priština about EULEX’s initial operational capability, Gallach told Beta that she did not know yet.

Beta has seen a draft letter prepared by the EU Council of Ministers that could be sent to Priština.

The letter states that EULEX will perform its tasks based on “joint action” with “a single command chain leading up to the UN Security Council.”

Because of Priština’s position regarding the six-point agreement, the possibility of is left open of a review of any interim engagements in 2009, once the mission reaches operational capability through mechanisms of implementing the rule of law in Kosovo.