Feith defends EULEX mission

Pieter Feith does not view the EULEX mission as illegal even though the UN has not given its approval for it to relieve UNMIK. Speaking to B92’s Poligraf, the Dutch diplomat appointed by the International Steering Group for Kosovo to run the EU’s civic mission to Kosovo hopes to establish dialogue with the Serbian government despite the fact that Belgrade regards his presence in the province as illegal. Feith defends EULEX mission The International Steering Group is made up of eight EU members, the U.S., Switzerland and Turkey. Feith said that Kosovo’s unilateral independence was an irreversible process, and that the matter of status could not be reopened. The EU mission’s arrival in Kosovo, which Serbia and Russia oppose and which the UN has still to approve, reflects Brussels’ intentions to assume responsibility in the region and help the Kosovo government, said Feith. “My presence is not illegal. But, it’s not a consequence of a consensus that we don’t currently have, nor the support of the Serbian government for our work. That’s unfortunate, and, to a certain extent, complicates matters, but I hope it won’t last long,“ said the diplomat. He hopes that, in time, the EU mission will be established in the north of Kosovo, from where it withdrew soon after its arrival. Asked whether it would return to the majority Serb enclaves by force, Feith said that the problem lay with Belgrade. “You think we’ll use force to return to the north? It’s interesting that you’re asking me about my methods, but you don’t ask about those who are behind all of this, who use violence. From time to time, you hear ministers in Belgrade saying that violence is permissible and legitimate to a certain extent. That’s pathetic." "To return to your question, the UN has operative responsibility together with KFOR to provide Kosovo with a secure environment, also in the north. And we’ll work closely with them to achieve our aims,“ the diplomat explained. He said that he hoped that understanding for his mission’s work would increase with time. “I don’t mean any ill to the Serbs, we respect their history and look forward to their eventual involvement in our activities,“ Feith concluded. Pieter Feith (FoNet, archive)

Feith defends EULEX mission

The International Steering Group is made up of eight EU members, the U.S., Switzerland and Turkey.

Feith said that Kosovo’s unilateral independence was an irreversible process, and that the matter of status could not be reopened. The EU mission’s arrival in Kosovo, which Serbia and Russia oppose and which the UN has still to approve, reflects Brussels’ intentions to assume responsibility in the region and help the Kosovo government, said Feith.

“My presence is not illegal. But, it’s not a consequence of a consensus that we don’t currently have, nor the support of the Serbian government for our work. That’s unfortunate, and, to a certain extent, complicates matters, but I hope it won’t last long,“ said the diplomat.

He hopes that, in time, the EU mission will be established in the north of Kosovo, from where it withdrew soon after its arrival.

Asked whether it would return to the majority Serb enclaves by force, Feith said that the problem lay with Belgrade.

“You think we’ll use force to return to the north? It’s interesting that you’re asking me about my methods, but you don’t ask about those who are behind all of this, who use violence. From time to time, you hear ministers in Belgrade saying that violence is permissible and legitimate to a certain extent. That’s pathetic."

"To return to your question, the UN has operative responsibility together with KFOR to provide Kosovo with a secure environment, also in the north. And we’ll work closely with them to achieve our aims,“ the diplomat explained.

He said that he hoped that understanding for his mission’s work would increase with time. “I don’t mean any ill to the Serbs, we respect their history and look forward to their eventual involvement in our activities,“ Feith concluded.