After the UN Security Council session, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried told BBC that the Security Council decision to deploy EULEX throughout the territory of Kosovo is a blow to those who want Kosovo’s partition and a step toward consolidating a united sovereign and indepedent Kosovo.

 

“The EULEX mission will operate in an independent, undivided, and sovereign Kosovo,” said Fried. He said that Kosovo’s right to oppose the six-point plan was recognized, adding that every future agreement should be negotiated, discussed, and consulted with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.

 

US Assistant Secretary of State said that the Security Council meeting was very important and successful because the declaration which enables the EULEX deployment was approved.

 

"The EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo will be a good thing for Kosovo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. EULEX will deploy with its original mandate, and will cooperate with the government of Kosovo throughout Kosovo. This was a good day…it was a good day because the Government of the Republic of Kosovo insisted on some conditions for the EULEX deployment, and the UN respected these conditions in its report," added Fried.

 

Speaking of the deployment of EULEX and its policy to remain neutral Fried said "the plan supports the sovereignty of Kosovo. The UN and the EU accept the fact that the Government of Kosovo has not accepted the six points. They also understand that the Government of Kosovo welcomed and accepted EULEX. And now they will not implement anything without first consulting Kosovo’s sovereign government. This is an achievement of the Kosovo Government. And frankly, this was a loss for all those who wanted Kosovo to stand back and watch EULEX being deployed only in the southern part, and UNMIK in the north. This was a defeat for those who had such ideas, and it was a victory for a unified Kosovo and for the EULEX deployment in all of your country."

 

Fried also stressed his strong beliefs that Kosovo institution will function in the north in the near future,while explaining the temporary and non-obligatory issue of the six-point plan, which cannot be implemented without sovereign institutions of Kosovo or imposed in no whatsoever way.

 

"Kosovo made it very clear that it does not accept the six-point plan. The Secretary General report says very clearly that the EULEX deployment and the transfer from UNMIK to EULEX will be done in coordination and in consolidation with the Kosovar authorities. Nothing will be done without Kosovo, and everything that will be done, Kosovo will be consulted. Importantly, the six-point plan is explicitly stated as an interim plan, not mandatory or obligatory to be implemented by anyone, and the UN's Presidential Declaration does not even mention the six-point plan" This is a good thing for the sovereignty of Kosovo. This shows that Kosovo was able to insist on respecting its sovereignty. And the world now has accepted the fact that the Kosovo Government should be listened to about issues that have to do with Kosovo. Now I need to say that the Kosovo institutions will function in the north, but time and patience is needed…and in this way, Kosovo will be unified. Anyhow, we the United States will cooperate with EULEX, we will be part of EULEX, knowing that this is a rule of law mission and law should be enforced throughout your country, " concluded Fried.