The Development and Implementation of EULEX Policy in Northern Kosovo

Abstract

In this thesis, the development and implementation of EULEX policy in northern Kosovo since the declaration of independence in 2008, after which the rule of law systems were placed under EU supervision, will be investigated. As the security situation has become more secure, independence has gained more international credibility and the topic of Serb-Albanian relations in the north is being increasingly brought to light due to an enthusiastic Serbian bid for EU accession. In this thesis the way in which EULEX policies have been developed and implemented with regards to the system of parallel governance will be explored. This thesis will first examine how policy implementation has developed or changed over time, with relation to the relationships that play a relevant role, both political elites and ‘ordinary’ social relations. Additionally, this thesis explores the international community’s relationship with the parallel system, how they (and specifically EULEX) work around it. Finally, it examines the relationship between Serbs and Albanians, and considers some of the potential outcomes for the north in the future. Data for this thesis has been collected from primary sources in the form of interviews and meetings in Kosovo with members of political and social organisations as well as ‘ordinary’ people during a field visit in March 2015 and through secondary sources, including academic texts, journalistic articles and political policy documentation, accessed at EULEX and unavailable to the wider public. The presence of the Serb authorities in the North will be questioned here, as well as the EU’s use of the Serb accession bid as a bargaining chip, as Serbia has shown itself to be willing to integrate EU policies. The bid is the driving force in the reconciliation process, and if Serbia is serious about its EU ambitions, it will likely have to sacrifice its claims to Kosovo, and thus the focus of the international community needs to be on accelerating this process. This research has demonstrated the mistrust and animosity amongst the people of the north and the authorities who govern them, deepened by outdated policies that increase segregation.