“EULEX wants agreement over judges”

Pristina’s Albanian language daily Koha Ditore writes that EULEX is reserved towards the Kosovo Albanian government idea to “install judges” in the north. According to this, the EU mission in the province, EULEX, does not favor appointment of judges in the Serb-dominated north “without agreement with representatives of all communities”. “EULEX wants agreement over judges” Prstina announced that it would “take all measures” to get the District Court in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica functioning under its control. Justice Minister Nekibe Keljmendi asked on Saturday that the government secure funds for transportation of judges and prosecutors and other personnel from the southern – ethnic Albanian part of the divided town, to the northern, mostly Serb part, adding that “this would be a step towards the complete functioning of the court”. “It is high time for the court in [Kosovska] Mitrovica to start functioning,“ said she, but did not mention any specific deadlines. However, EULEX wants the court officials in the north to be accepted by all communities, which could mean that the EU mission does not support the Kosovo government’s idea to establish a bus line for judges and prosecutors, the daily writes. EULEX spokesman Christophe Lamfalussy told the daily that the mission is interested in instituting court officials accepted by all communities. “EULEX understands the desire of the Kosovo government to return the local judges and prosecutors as soon as possible. We are also interested in justice being accepted by all communities. The solution must enable for work of the court officials in full security,” he said. The spokesman added that the mission is discussing the Kosovo government’s proposal but that it is “unknown whether the initiative would be supported”. The District Court in northern Kosovska Mitrovica has not worked since the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence and the ensuing protests in March 2008, when international forces tried to enter the building by force, sparking deadly riots. In the clashes between civilians and international police, one police officer was killed and several dozen civilians injured, some seriously.

“EULEX wants agreement over judges”

Prština announced that it would “take all measures” to get the District Court in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica functioning under its control.

Justice Minister Nekibe Keljmendi asked on Saturday that the government secure funds for transportation of judges and prosecutors and other personnel from the southern – ethnic Albanian part of the divided town, to the northern, mostly Serb part, adding that “this would be a step towards the complete functioning of the court”.

“It is high time for the court in [Kosovska] Mitrovica to start functioning,“ said she, but did not mention any specific deadlines.

However, EULEX wants the court officials in the north to be accepted by all communities, which could mean that the EU mission does not support the Kosovo government’s idea to establish a bus line for judges and prosecutors, the daily writes.

EULEX spokesman Christophe Lamfalussy told the daily that the mission is interested in instituting court officials accepted by all communities.

“EULEX understands the desire of the Kosovo government to return the local judges and prosecutors as soon as possible. We are also interested in justice being accepted by all communities. The solution must enable for work of the court officials in full security,” he said.

The spokesman added that the mission is discussing the Kosovo government’s proposal but that it is “unknown whether the initiative would be supported”.

The District Court in northern Kosovska Mitrovica has not worked since the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence and the ensuing protests in March 2008, when international forces tried to enter the building by force, sparking deadly riots.

In the clashes between civilians and international police, one police officer was killed and several dozen civilians injured, some seriously.