The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, known as EULEX Kosovo or simply as EULEX, is the largest civilian mission ever launched under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union. EULEX supports selected Kosovo rule of law institutions on their path towards increased effectiveness, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, free from political interference and in full compliance with international human rights standards and best European practices.
EULEX's current mandate has been launched to cover the period until 14 June 2025 based on Council Decision 2023/1095. Within its mandate, the Mission undertakes monitoring, mentoring, and advising activities and has limited executive functions.
The Mission works within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
History
A 1,800 to 1,900 strong mission was approved by the European Council on 14 December 2007. This was later increased to 2,000 personnel due to the lack of an agreement with Serbia. It consisted of police officers (including four anti-riot units), prosecutors and judges – hence focusing on issues on the rule of law issues, including democratic standards.
The final decision on the mission was planned to be taken on 28 January 2008. This was postponed due to concerns over possible negative effects on the second round of the presidential election in Serbia on 3 February 2008 and the possible signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia on that date. The officially voiced reason for the postponement was the lack of a legal basis for the mission. A Joint Action was approved on 4 February 2008 and the final decision was made on 16 February 2008 (a joint action is a method of implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and are binding on member states).
EULEX was therefore set up in February 2008 to support local institutions in the rule of law, right after the self-declared independence by Kosovo on 17 February 2008. After signing a five-point plan between Serbia and the UN, the UN Security Council approved the addition of EULEX as an assistance mission subjected to UNMIK, rather than outright replacing it.
The Mission included around 3,200 police and judicial personnel (1,950 international, 1,250 local), and began a four-month deployment process on 16 February 2008. In September 2012, the Kosovo Assembly voted to extend EULEX to 2014. In April 2014, the Kosovo Assembly once again voted to extend EULEX's mandate, this time until June 2016. The European Council then decided to extend the mandate of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo until 14 June 2018, before extending it again in June 2018.
EULEX's current mandate has been launched to cover the period until 14 June 2025 with an allocated budget of EUR 58.5 million that will cover the EULEX Kosovo mission's expenditure for the implementation of its new mandate in Kosovo.
Heads of Mission of EULEX
Contributing States
EULEX is supported by all 27 European Union Member States, the United Kingdom and five Contributing States (Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States).
However, some EU countries do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Spain for instance did not take part in the EULEX mission, since legal questions over how it replaces the UN administration have not been answered, according to the Spanish government. Furthermore, political issues related to the independence claims of the Catalonia region prevented Spain from recognizing Kosovo a self-declared independent State. In June 2008, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos announced in a meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers that Spain would not send its contingent to the EULEX mission until there has been a formal transfer of powers from the United Nations. The other EU countries that do not recognize the independence of Kosovo are Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia.
Political context
The EU has been divided on whether to recognize an independent Kosovo without international and Serbian approval. The Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia was seen as ensuring the unity of the EU on the question, however the Presidency announced it would not amount to recognition of an independent Kosovo.
EULEX is legally based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which introduced the international rule of Kosovo in 1999. However, the mission, which was previously planned to be covered by the Security Council's approval of the Ahtisaari Plan, has not received a new UN Security Council mandate due to the opposition from Russia. Serbia also views the Mission as an EU recognition of an independent Kosovo.