Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1651
2008-10-27 06:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USEU Brussels
Cable title:  

EULEX KOSOVO U.S.-EU PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT SIGNED

Tags:  PREL EUN SR KK 
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FM USEU BRUSSELS
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INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY
RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFITT/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001651 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/ERA, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN SR KK
SUBJECT: EULEX KOSOVO U.S.-EU PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT SIGNED

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001651

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/ERA, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN SR KK
SUBJECT: EULEX KOSOVO U.S.-EU PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT SIGNED


1. (U) On October 22, the European Union Rule of Law Mission
(EULEX) Kosovo U.S.-EU Participation Agreement entered into
force. On behalf of the U.S. delegation, EUR A/S Dan Fried
added his signature, in Brussels,to that of EU High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana. This agreement marks the first time that the
U.S. will participate in a civilian European Security and
Defense Policy (ESDP) mission, with some 80 U.S. police
officers and 6-8 judges and prosecutors deploying to Kosovo
in support of EULEX. EULEX seeks to support the development
of Kosovo's democratic standards, in particular the
strengthening of an independent and multi-ethnic rule of law
system. Deployment of EULEX staff is ongoing. The U.S.
contingent is expected to join the mission shortly before
EULEX assumes its repsponsibilities from the United Nations
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on or about December 2.


2. (U) Following the signing of the participation agreement,
A/S Fried made the following public statement.

Begin text:

"It is a great pleasure to sign, and by signing, bringing
into force what I understand is the first such document, the
first time Americans have taken part in such an EU mission.
It establishes a precedent for what I hope is a future
cooperation between the United States and the European Union.
The United States and Europe are partners and great centers
of democracy, of wealth and, therefore, of responsibility to
use the power that we have to work together in the world and
with the world and with each other.

Specifically, these signatures bring into force the agreement
for the United States to participate in the ESDP mission in
Kosovo, the so-called EULEX mission.

The United States will provide 80 police officers and up to 8
judges and prosecutors in this EU-led mission. Beyond its
larger significance, this agreement underscores the shared
European-American desire to work together to support the
development of Kosovo.

The deployment of EULEX throughout Kosovo will be a critical
element of the supervised independence for this new state,
and it will benefit all of Kosovo citizens and contribute to
Kosovo stability and stability of the region.

The United States supports Kosovo's progress in developing a
stable democratic, European-oriented, multi-ethnic state,
laying the groundwork for prosperity and a European future
for all the people who live in Kosovo.

Fifty-one countries have recognized Kosovo so far, including
three-quarters of the European Union and NATO States, all of
the G7; that is about 25% of the UN members, and this
represents a shared global commitment to Kosovo and stability
in the Balkans.

We also support a European future for Serbia. We
disagreed,,, we have disagreements with Serbia about Kosovo,
but we do not disagree that Serbia deserves a European
future, and we look forward to the day when Serbia and Kosovo
and all the States of that region will be together in the
wider European family. That will be a good day, and this is
a small step in that direction.

I am very pleased by the work that the EU and the United
States have done, NATO is still in Kosovo; this is an example
of cooperation to bring peace and stability to that country
and to the region of the Balkans."

End text.


3. (U) This statement and other details associated with the
signing can also be located at http://useu.usmission.gov.
.