Pieter Feith – EU Special Representative in Kosovo

Mission Statement - International Support for a European future

The objective of the EU in Kosovo is to support and assist the Kosovo authorities in developing a stable, viable, peaceful and multi-ethnic Kosovo, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours. These aims are high and I believe they are rightly so. The EU will offer a multifaceted approach in assisting Kosovo's security and development. We will make use of all our political, financial and security mechanisms in a unified and coherent manner with the aim of reaching this objective. My tasks will be to assist the political process and to promote coordination of all these efforts, including by providing local political guidance to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. I believe that the future of Kosovo is of immense importance to the European Union and in my role as EU Special Representative in Kosovo I will tirelessly assist the local authorities by offering the EU's advice and support.

My aim is a Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural heritage. I want to contribute to the consolidation of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kosovo. Furthermore, I think there is an urgent need to address the socio-economic situation and I intend to do my part to contribute to the wider activity aimed at the creation of a viable economy. 

The European Council has affirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union and it is clear that the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) is the strategic framework for the EU's policy towards the Western Balkan region. The EU has also reiterated that its instruments also apply to Kosovo, including a European partnership, political and technical dialogue under the SAP Tracking Mechanism, and related Community assistance programmes. For Kosovo the road towards European integration will be long and difficult, but it is a road of hope. The first steps of European integration will go through the unreserved respect of all communities and commitment to all European values, such as freedom, democracy and multi-ethnicity.

My team and I will be there to assist and support but we will not be doing the job of the government. It is for all the people of Kosovo and their elected leaders to assume leadership and push through the necessary reforms.