BRUSSELS – The presence of the EULEX mission in Kosovo will continue for at least another two years. Various sources have confirmed that the negotiations initiated between the government of Kosovo and the EU are heading to the direction that EULEX mandate will be extended, consisting of four operational objectives.
Unnamed diplomatic sources told the Pristina daily Koha Ditore that the EU countries have agreed to extend the mandate of the EULEX mission until mid-June 2018.
These sources have stated in Brussels that the agreement on the extension of the mandate reached in principle at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives on Wednesday, adding that it had reached an agreement on the budget of 34.5 million euros for the period up to June 2017 and the budget for the Special Court for war crimes of 31.5 million euros.
EULEX presence in Kosovo has been considered necessary because of the Special Court, which will not become functional until the end of the year. EU Office in Kosovo has confirmed the initiation of the negotiations with the Kosovo government about the future of EULEX.