EULEX

European Union Rule of Law Mission

EULEX is the European rule of law mission in Kosovo operating under the umbrella of the European Security and Defense Policy (Wikipedia). The mission operates under the general framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

The objective is not to govern Kosovo but to assist the government in Kosovo in strengthening the areas of police, judiciary and customs.

The mission commenced December 9, 2008, when the first 100 members entered the Kosovo hot spot of Mitrovica. On April 6, 2009, the mission was declared fully operational at its headquarters in Pristina. The mission initially has a three-year mandate.

The mission consists of three separate components.

Since October 2010, the head of the EULEX mission is French ex-general Xavier Bout de Marnhac. The deputy head of the mission is British diplomat Andy Sparkes.