EULEX chief on “pressure over probes”

EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon said Brussels on Thursday that “nobody in Kosovo could be above the law”. Beta news agency reports that he thus “dismissed objections from the U.S. and some other Western governments that investigations into the alleged corruption of certain members of the Pristina government were destabilizing Kosovo”. EULEX chief on “pressure over probes” This was Kermabon's response when asked by European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek, at the European Parliament's Subcommittee for Security and Defense, how he viewed comments from the U.S. and other Western countries that continuing EULEX investigations would impact the stability of Kosovo. The head of EULEX also told journalists that he was not interested in commenting on statements by Kosovo Albanian Premier Hashim Thaci that the probe into Kosovo Transport Minister Fatmir Limaj and some other ministers had been conducted in an "uncivilized manner". Kermabon replied that, according to his knowledge, whenever they met, Thaci had voiced support to EULEX and sought that more be done and that he be personally involved, as well as the Kosovo justice system, in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Kermabon further stated that the role of EULEX in Kosovo was to ensure justice without interference, adding that he had no regard for any pressure. The head of the European mission also stressed that he did not believe the investigations into Pristina government members were undermining Kosovo's stability. He also said EULEX had established good steady cooperation with Belgrade in the police sector, and that EULEX prosecutors were often in touch with Serbian authorities and cooperated with them closely. Kermabon added that it “would be useful” to sign protocols on customs and justice cooperation between EULEX and the Serbian government.

EULEX chief on “pressure over probes”

This was Kermabon's response when asked by European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek, at the European Parliament's Subcommittee for Security and Defense, how he viewed comments from the U.S. and other Western countries that continuing EULEX investigations would impact the stability of Kosovo.

The head of EULEX also told journalists that he was not interested in commenting on statements by Kosovo Albanian Premier Hashim Thaci that the probe into Kosovo Transport Minister Fatmir Limaj and some other ministers had been conducted in an "uncivilized manner".

Kermabon replied that, according to his knowledge, whenever they met, Thaci had voiced support to EULEX and sought that more be done and that he be personally involved, as well as the Kosovo justice system, in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

Kermabon further stated that the role of EULEX in Kosovo was to ensure justice without interference, adding that he had no regard for any pressure.

The head of the European mission also stressed that he did not believe the investigations into Priština government members were undermining Kosovo's stability.

He also said EULEX had established good steady cooperation with Belgrade in the police sector, and that EULEX prosecutors were often in touch with Serbian authorities and cooperated with them closely.

Kermabon added that it “would be useful” to sign protocols on customs and justice cooperation between EULEX and the Serbian government.