New EULEX chief arrives in Belgrade

EULEX chief Xavier Bout de Marnhac says the mission is ready to provide "logistic support" to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, particularly on the rule of law. "We are also ready to contribute to the implementation of any agreement that might be reached," said De Marnhac in a statement for the Belgrade daily Blic. New EULEX chief arrives in Belgrade The Frenchman, who will be visiting Belgrade for the first time in the capacity of the EULEX head today and tomorrow, said that one of the main reasons of his visit is to improve the rule of law in the north of Kosovo. "I strongly believe that we have to join forces in fighting crime, organized crime, in particular," said De Marnhac. He also said that "regional cooperation is one of the most important things in the fight against serious crime" and that he will visit Tirana, Skopje and Podgorica in the coming days to that end. Ahead of the visit, the EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, announced that de Marnhac will talk with Serbian authorities about the rule of law issues, especially about the importance of applying the rule of law in northern Kosovo. However, according to the Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanovic, for interlocutors in Belgrade northern, predominantly Serb part of Kosovo, is not the key issue. “Organized crime and the rule of law in northern Kosovo are not on a satisfactory level, we must admit that. And it is certain that this can be improved. But that’s not the central problem in the north. I believe that the status of the courts and the police in northern Kosovo will be solved through dialogue initiated either before, or definitely after the Kosovo elections,“ he said. “The EULEX mission has a very important role in that respect. This situation must not be destabilized and in that respect EULEX and de Marnhac have an extremely significant task, and that is to maintain the political stability and peace until the dialogue starts and until we reach certain real solutions through it,“ says Ivanovic. The new EULEX head will also meet with the representatives of Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Finance. Oliver Ivanovic stated that official Belgrade has clear expectations from the EULEX. “What’s important for us is that EULEX must not cross the line in its work on the field, that is not to become biased under any circumstances, at any time. Status neutrality is what’s expected and is the basic condition brought forth to Xavier de Marnhac. We also do not expect any surprising moves, but rather think that their moves and politics, and conducting their mission in the field, must depend on agreement,“ said Ivanovic. “In a situation when there is nobody to talk to in Pristina, it will be a bit difficult, but elections will come and pass, and after that de Marnhac, together with the new authorities in Pristina and in cooperation with the Serbian government, should actually do a little bit more regarding the rule of law than has been done so far,“ he said. According to unconfirmed information obtained by the media in Kosovo, the EULEX mission will be involved in the upcoming Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. The EULEX mediation in the dialogue was mentioned by Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic, who at the same time emphasized that the EU mission was "operating within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244." Xavier Bout de Marnhac (Beta, file)

New EULEX chief arrives in Belgrade

The Frenchman, who will be visiting Belgrade for the first time in the capacity of the EULEX head today and tomorrow, said that one of the main reasons of his visit is to improve the rule of law in the north of Kosovo.

"I strongly believe that we have to join forces in fighting crime, organized crime, in particular," said De Marnhac.

He also said that "regional cooperation is one of the most important things in the fight against serious crime" and that he will visit Tirana, Skopje and Podgorica in the coming days to that end.

Ahead of the visit, the EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, announced that de Marnhac will talk with Serbian authorities about the rule of law issues, especially about the importance of applying the rule of law in northern Kosovo.

However, according to the Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanović, for interlocutors in Belgrade northern, predominantly Serb part of Kosovo, is not the key issue.

“Organized crime and the rule of law in northern Kosovo are not on a satisfactory level, we must admit that. And it is certain that this can be improved. But that’s not the central problem in the north. I believe that the status of the courts and the police in northern Kosovo will be solved through dialogue initiated either before, or definitely after the Kosovo elections,“ he said.

“The EULEX mission has a very important role in that respect. This situation must not be destabilized and in that respect EULEX and de Marnhac have an extremely significant task, and that is to maintain the political stability and peace until the dialogue starts and until we reach certain real solutions through it,“ says Ivanović.

The new EULEX head will also meet with the representatives of Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Finance.

Oliver Ivanović stated that official Belgrade has clear expectations from the EULEX.

“What’s important for us is that EULEX must not cross the line in its work on the field, that is not to become biased under any circumstances, at any time. Status neutrality is what’s expected and is the basic condition brought forth to Xavier de Marnhac. We also do not expect any surprising moves, but rather think that their moves and politics, and conducting their mission in the field, must depend on agreement,“ said Ivanović.

“In a situation when there is nobody to talk to in Priština, it will be a bit difficult, but elections will come and pass, and after that de Marnhac, together with the new authorities in Priština and in cooperation with the Serbian government, should actually do a little bit more regarding the rule of law than has been done so far,“ he said.

According to unconfirmed information obtained by the media in Kosovo, the EULEX mission will be involved in the upcoming Priština-Belgrade dialogue.

The EULEX mediation in the dialogue was mentioned by Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremić, who at the same time emphasized that the EU mission was "operating within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244."