The report of the Court of Auditors on Kosovo: a bit outdated today?

(BRUSSELS2) Representatives of the European diplomatic service did not really appreciate the latest report from the Court of Auditors on the rule of law mission EULEX Kosovo (read: The Eulex Kosovo mission: not efficient enough! The "limited" Kosovar state (Court of Auditors). According to them, the report certainly points to a series of proven facts, but in general the report dates from 2011 and several improvements have been made since then and this in a particularly complicated context. As explained to B2, an expert on the case, the report of the Court of Auditors is certainly "interesting". But he forgets one fact: "the reprofiling of the mission on certain objectives".

The report does not take into account recent improvements

«While the EEAS accepts the Court's findings and recognizes flaws in some aspects, we disagree with several of the Court's statementsreplied Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the High Representative, following the publication. "Most vital reinforcement and execution efforts are not covered by the timeline of the report (2007-2011) and indeed many of the Court's recommendations have already been addressed.” And if the mission was renewed until 2014, it is because "Kosovo institutions have improved their performance and the EULEX mission has been reconfigured to improve resource allocation and coordination". Peter Stano, spokesperson for Stefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement, draws the same conclusions. "In fact, some (court recommendations) have already been put in place, in particular the use of political dialogue (Structural Dialogue on the rule of law, dialogue on visas, feasibility study) as well as the review of acquisitions and programming in order to ensure synergy between EULEX and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance". NB: This was also the whole objective of the "review" (strategic review) started for the EULEX Kosovo mission, which began to be set up last June and should be by the end of the year or next year.

It's not that easy

Moreover, the foreign service spokesperson insists on the complexity of the EULEX mission and the general political context in the region. "Considering the fragile state of Kosovo's rule of law institutions at the time of the establishment of the mission, the relative stability deserves to be taken into account when evaluating the effectiveness of European investment” . Before adding that in addition "EULEX continues to face a culture of impunity." Same reactions from the side of the Commission and the Enlargement Dg. "We fully share the Court's conclusions that the establishment of the rule of law in Kosovo is a slow and demanding process.explains the Commissioner's spokesperson.

We should also talk about the results

The diplomatic service also denies having achieved a whole series of results, ignored by the report. "Hundreds of investigations are underway, more than 300 verdicts in military and civilian cases, 23.000 property disputes resolved and more than 300 remains of missing persons returned to families also attest to the impact of the mission.“says Maja Kocijancic. Beyond the statistical data, the SEAE points out that “in several cases, (EULEX) acted as a deterrent and preventive actor, defusing situations that would otherwise have erupted into conflict».

And for the coordination, we continue the efforts

«Coordination is reinforced every day, particularly between the European Union office and EULEX. The Commission will also continue to make every effort to coordinate with the United States." said Peter Stano.