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US signs deal to join EU civil mission in Kosovo

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-22 22:41

BRUSSELS -- The United States signed an agreement here Wednesday with the European Union (EU) on participation in the EU's civilian mission in Kosovo, known as EULEX.

"This is a distinctive case of the United States participating in a civilian European Security and Defense Policy mission," said a joint statement released after the signing ceremony at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

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Around 80 US police officers along with eight judges and prosecutors are expected to join the EULEX Kosovo mission by December.

This is "the first time Americans have taken part in such an EU mission," said Daniel Fried, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

"It establishes a precedent for what I hope is future cooperation between the United States and the EU," he said.

The EU had decided in February to deploy the mission of 2,200 police personnel, customs officers and justice experts in Kosovo, before the breakaway Serbian province unilaterally declared independence.

But the deployment has been delayed because of strong opposition from Serbia and Russia, as well as the 27-member EU's internal differences on the matter. Only 500 personnel are reportedly on the ground so far.

"Deployment of EULEX staff is continuing apace and EULEX's initial operational capability is expected to be declared at the start of December 2008," the joint statement said.