The European Parliament is expected to vote in early February for a new resolution on Kosovo.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament Foreign Commission voted a draft-resolution that was prepared by Joost Lagendjik. Among other things, this resolution consists of two messages: EULEX’s role which according to Lagendjik should implement its initial mandate for monitoring customs, police and judiciary throughout Kosovo and also ask Kosovo government for transparency.

“There have been many misunderstandings regarding the UN Security Council’s December decision. Belgrade interprets Ban Ki-moon’s decision in a way stating that EULEX is status neutral and it cannot implement its initial mandate. Now the European Parliament says that we have always been in favor of EULEX but EULEX should be able to do what is supposed to do. Therefore, EULEX is not status neutral and it should finish the job for which it was deployed in the first place: assist Kosovars in customs, police and judiciary,” said Lagendjik. According to him, the second message is addressed to Kosovo authorities with the request to be transparent, especially in the area of privatization.

“It is a call on Kosovo’s authorities. For instance, when working on the privatization process, they should do it transparently and openly so the people of Kosovo can also see what is going on. And there is much additional advice for Kosovo’s authorities,” said Lagendjik.

The first report after declaration of independence supports Kosovo’s European perspective. The author itself points out as important the fact that even though five EU countries have not recognized Kosovo yet, they do not obstruct Kosovo’s integration process.