The Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija announced today, following the appointment of EULEX’s new Chief Xavier Bout de Marnhac, that it expects the EULEX mission to continue to function within a status-neutral framework.

The Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija requested, and will continue to insist, that EULEX does not support, nor resort to any unilateral actions that would violate the mandate and legitimacy of the mission or would cause instability in the field.

The Ministry hopes that the new leadership of EULEX will manage to show a balanced and measured approach, which was characteristic of the mandate of Yves de Kermabon.

The new leadership of EULEX is also expected to show willingness to continue activities aimed at combating organised crime and all other forms of crime.

The Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija said that as long as this framework is respected it will be open to fair and partnership cooperation with the mission as a legitimate international mission in the southern Serbian province, the statement added.