The Head of the EULEX Mission in Kosovo, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, said in an exclusive interview with KosovaPress that the proposed creation of a gendarmerie, announced by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, should take into account the legal framework established by the Constitution, which recognizes the Kosovo Police as the primary and sole law enforcement institution.
Barbano said that, at the current stage, the information at their disposal is limited, given that the measures taken thus far to establish a gendarmerie are still in the early stages.
“Of course, we respect local ownership of the process, but we must also bear in mind the legal framework established by the Constitution, which considers the Kosovo Police to be the primary and sole law enforcement institution. Therefore, whatever solution is found for this project must respect this legal framework, as well as the other limitations set out in various agreements and arrangements. We are ready to monitor these developments. The Mission remains closely engaged in following this issue and, if requested, to provide advice and expertise,” Barbano said in the interview with KosovaPress.
Barbano further stated that there is already a well-established coordination mechanism between the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX. According to him, if a new actor is created, in this case a gendarmerie, it will be important for it to be integrated into the same coordination framework.“Again, we already have a very well-established coordination mechanism among the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX across different areas of our mandates, including joint training and regular meetings. Therefore, if a new actor is created, it will be extremely important that it be integrated into the same coordination mechanism,” Barbano told KosovaPress.
