Brussels, 24/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - During the evening of 23 April, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hailed the vote the same day of the Kosovo Assembly supporting the extension of EULEX's mandate and confirming the commitment to create a specialist court to adjudicate on the allegations contained in the Council of Europe's Marty report (see EUROPE 11065).
“I commend the government and the members of the Assembly for their leadership and commitment to justice, demonstrated through what we acknowledge to be a sensitive and difficult decision”, Ashton said in a press release. In her view, the decision taken “will strengthen the rule of law and improve the credibility of [the Assembly's] international image”.
“By taking such a decision, the leaders of Kosovo have opted for a better, European future for Kosovo and its citizens”, Ashton stated, reiterating that the EU will continue to be a strong partner to Pristina on its European path.
While the Kosovo parliament approved the extension of the EULEX mission for two years - in other words, until June 2016 - and the mission's modalities, the formal extension will be adopted by the Council in the coming weeks. (CG)