Djuric: Status neutrality of EULEX is imperative

BELGRADE - Status neutrality of EULEX is an imperative for the government of Serbia, and it will always support the mission in establishing and strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM), Director of the Serbian government's Office for KiM Marko Djuric said Wednesday.

After a meeting with Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) Gabriele Meucci, Djuric told reporters that Serbia does not recognize the independence of KiM, and that the presence of international missions in the province is necessary to strengthen the rule of law, and not to resolve status issues.
"For that reason the status neutrality of EULEX is an imperative for us," said Djuric, pointing out that the KiM Serbs do not accept the administrative line as a state border.

He noted that he discussed with Meucci the numerous problems faced by the Serb community in the province, countless incidents, ethnically motivated attacks and murders and a great number of criminals at large.

There are many problems regarding the credibility of EULEX and I wish that Meucci succeeds in solving them, but it will not be easy considering the situation that he encountered, said Djuric, stressing that the Serbs in the province need stability and the rule of law.

He underlined the importance of honoring the part of the Brussels Agreement related to the establishment of courts in Serb-majority municipalities staffed with Serb judges and prosecutors.
"The moment when our people no longer see their political leaders in prison while criminals sit freely in nearby cafes, we will be able to say that we are closer to fulfilling the mandate and realizing the goals not only of the international community but of all those who want the...