Kosovo asks EU to extend its rule of law mission: report

(PRISTINA) - Kosovo's president on Monday called on the European Union to extend the mandate of its rule of law mission for another two years, official media reported.

In a letter to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, president Atifete Jahjaga said Pristina wanted Brussels to "continue offering judges, prosecutors and police officers with experience and knowledge to serve" in Kosovo," public Radio Television of Kosova (RTK) said.

"This invitation will support EULEX in its current mandate until June 15, 2014," Jahjaga added.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and just months later Brussels launched its biggest civilian mission of around 2,000 staff members to strengthen the rule of law area in the breakaway territory.

European judges and prosecutors have been in charge of the most sensitive cases that local authorities cannot handle because of their sensitivity, notably crimes committed during the 1998-1999 Kosovo war.

EULEX has been operating under a plan submitted by former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, who envisioned independence as the only solution for the Kosovo status dispute between Pristina and Belgrade.

Kosovo has been recognised by around 90 countries, including the United States and all but five of the 27 EU members.