Gerald Knaus, chairman of the European Stability Initiative, argued that the EU's mission in Kosovo is flawed. He spoke in a conference organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies on 11th February, according to the EUObserver.

He stated that blind implementation of Mr Ahtisaari plan together with the presence of the EU mission could eventually result in Kosovo becoming a "failed EU protectorate. The EU mission will have the power to reverse operational decisions taken by the local authorities and to assume other responsibilities independently or in support of the Kosovo authorities, he explained. In the end, the mission "can basically do what it defines is needed in terms of defending the rule of law in its own understanding," he said. It is also unclear at this stage how long its mandate would last, as it is has not been agreed what the length of mandate should be based upon.

Ultimately, between the EU mission and the International Civilian Office foreseen by the Ahtisaari plan, which would dispose of important executive powers, "post-status Kosovo will not be independent in any sense," Mr Knaus argued. "International officials are there to stay in the long term," he said, adding that the whole situation is unlikely to be beneficial for Kosovo's weak economy. It will be up to the EU - which "is going to be responsible, it's assuming an immense amount of executive authority, it is going to be the real authority in this society in term of its powers" – to prevent Kosovo from becoming "one of the most isolated places in the world," Mr Knaus concluded.

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