Brussels, 30/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 29 October, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the EU was following the situation in Kosovo “closely” after the “allegations against current and former members” of the EULEX Kosovo civil mission.
Ashton's spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, stated that the EU took the accusations “extremely seriously”. Three senior EULEX Kosovo staff - the mission's head prosecutor, Jaroslava Novotna (Czech Republic), former judge Francesco Florit (Italy) and prosecutor Jonathan Ratel (Canada) - are accused of corruption by prosecutor Maria Bamieh (UK).
Ashton's spokesperson stated that since 2013, EULEX and Kosovo judicial authorities have been pursuing a joint investigation into these allegations. “Due diligence has therefore been applied thoroughly, in line with what is at the heart of EULEX's efforts, namely the fight against corruption and impunity”, Kocijancic added. “Notwithstanding the ongoing investigation, the presumption of innocence constitutes a cornerstone of any rule of law system and a guarantee that must be applied to every citizen without discrimination”, Kocijancic said.
Kocijancic stated that the newly appointed head of the EULEX mission and his “dedicated team of professionals” have the “full support” of the European External Action Service. “We are confident that they will continue to successfully implement the mission's mandate and assist Kosovo authorities in the consolidation of a sustainable and accountable rule of law sector in Kosovo, free from political interference”, Kocijancic added. (CG)