ZIF on mission visit to Kosovo

From July 14 to 18, Françoise Donner, Senior HR Desk Officer EU in the Human Resources team, and Dr. Andreas Wittkowsky, Research Associate in the Policy, Partnerships & Innovation team, traveled to Kosovo as part of a joint delegation with Bund-Länder-Arbeitsgruppe “Internationale Polizeimissionen” (the Federal-State working group on “International Police Missions”). The focus was on exchanges with German personnel in the European Rule of Law Mission EULEX and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

“Kosovo is central to securing peace in the Western Balkans. The talks on the ground confirmed that the international commitment makes sense and continues to be necessary. The Federal Police and ZIF are making an important contribution to this with their secondees,” emphasized Dr. Andreas Wittkowsky.

During a contingent meeting with the German secondees seconded officers, one-on-one meetings, and briefings at the EULEX locations in Pristina and Mitrovica, our colleagues gained in-depth insights into the work of the missions and the practical challenges faced during deployment. ZIF is currently seconding five civilian experts to EULEX Kosovo and three experts to the OSCE mission, including Deputy Head of Mission Cornelia Taylor.

The EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) was mandated in 2008 as the largest civilian mission of the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy. Its task is to support the rule of law in Kosovo in order to strengthen its effectiveness, sustainability, and multi-state nature and to comply with international human rights standards. The current mandate, until June 14, 2025, includes monitoring, mentoring and advisory tasks with limited executive functions. EULEX monitors criminal proceedings, advises the police (including in northern Kosovo), supports law enforcement services, international police cooperation and the identification of victims of the Kosovo conflict.

The OSCE mission in Kosovo is currently the OSCE's largest field operation. It promotes human rights, media freedom, and democratization, and helps Kosovo's institutions to improve relevant laws and policies. It also provides advanced police training and strengthens the participation of young people in political life.