EULEX chief against “parallel institutions”

EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon says this EU mission does not recognize or assist the so-called parallel structures in Kosovo. He also said that Belgrade's “political decision” to nominate judges for Serb courts in Kosovo “has to be dealt with urgently”. EULEX chief against “parallel institutions” Kermabon said in a written statement in Pristina on Thursday that “there is not a single place in Europe with two judicial systems operating at the same time and covering the same area, adding that this would mean non-existence of justice”. "This will trigger conflicting decisions which will go against the rights of the population. There can be only one judicial system in Kosovo," Kermabon said. "The political decision by Belgrade to nominate judges for Serb courts in Kosovo has to be dealt with urgently. EULEX is working on the reestablishment of a functioning justice in North [Kosovska] Mitrovica, has reopened the court and conducted five trials there," Kermabon added. According to him, EULEX top priority is to get “Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian” judges and prosecutors back to the Kosovska Mitrovica District Court, so that “justice can be delivered by a local, multiethnic and single judiciary”. He underscored in the written statement that EULEX mission's mandate is “clear concerning the Serbian institutions in Kosovo and drawn based on the Joint Action adopted by all 27 member states of the EU”. "It says that we are here to assist the Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies. EULEX is determined to help to reinforce the Kosovo institutions in the rule of law area," the EULEX head of mission said. Kermabon stated that „strong, fair and multiethnic rule-of-law institutions for all communities are the only option, adding that this will be a guarantee for a fair justice and will make the parallel structures irrelevant”. "We are not in Kosovo to govern, but to help the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area. Until now, we have worked in the north on a step by step approach. This approach proved quite efficient," Kermabon said. A file photo of Yves de Kermabon, right (FoNet)

EULEX chief against “parallel institutions”

Kermabon said in a written statement in Priština on Thursday that “there is not a single place in Europe with two judicial systems operating at the same time and covering the same area, adding that this would mean non-existence of justice”.

"This will trigger conflicting decisions which will go against the rights of the population. There can be only one judicial system in Kosovo," Kermabon said.

"The political decision by Belgrade to nominate judges for Serb courts in Kosovo has to be dealt with urgently. EULEX is working on the reestablishment of a functioning justice in North [Kosovska] Mitrovica, has reopened the court and conducted five trials there," Kermabon added.

According to him, EULEX top priority is to get “Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian” judges and prosecutors back to the Kosovska Mitrovica District Court, so that “justice can be delivered by a local, multiethnic and single judiciary”.

He underscored in the written statement that EULEX mission's mandate is “clear concerning the Serbian institutions in Kosovo and drawn based on the Joint Action adopted by all 27 member states of the EU”.

"It says that we are here to assist the Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies. EULEX is determined to help to reinforce the Kosovo institutions in the rule of law area," the EULEX head of mission said.

Kermabon stated that „strong, fair and multiethnic rule-of-law institutions for all communities are the only option, adding that this will be a guarantee for a fair justice and will make the parallel structures irrelevant”.

"We are not in Kosovo to govern, but to help the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area. Until now, we have worked in the north on a step by step approach. This approach proved quite efficient," Kermabon said.