Skip to main content

Chapter 7: Establishing the Rule of Law in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Contribution of the EU Civilian Missions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
A Quarter Century of Post-Communism Assessed

Abstract

The chapter examines the efforts of the EU civilian missions deployed in BiH (EUPM) and Kosovo (EULEX) to advance the consolidation of state-building and the establishment of the rule of law. It tries to map out and assess their track record, with a view to shed light on successes and deficiencies. It argues that the more focused and well specific the activities taken up by the two missions have been, the more efficient and rewarding have been the results delivered on the ground. Equally important, the two missions have proved able to smoothly work to the benefit of their operational objectives whenever they have both stayed tuned with local interests and streamlined their practices with other EU policies active in the region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Aitchison, A. (2007). Police reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina: state, democracy and international assistance. Policing and Society, 17(4), 321–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antolovic-Tovornik, N. (2015). Civilian capability development. In: J. Rehrl & G. Glume (Eds.), Handbook on CSDP missions and operations. The Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. (pp. 241–243). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asseburg, M., & Kempin, R. (2011). ESDP in practice: crisis management without strategic planning. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 15(1–2), 178–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. (2014a, April 23). On amending and supplementing the laws related to the mandate of the European Union rule of law mission in the Republic of Kosovo. Law No. 04/L-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. (2014b, April 23). On ratification of the international agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the European Union on the European Union Rule of law mission in Kosovo. Law No. 04/L-274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avdiu, P., & Perteshi, S. (2015). Assessment of police integrity in Kosovo. Belgrade and Pristina: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy & Kosovar Centre for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassuener, K., & Weber, B. (2013). House of cards: the EU’s “reinforced presence” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Proposal for a new policy approach (DPC Policy Paper). Sarajevo & Berlin: Democratization Policy Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bećirević, E., & Ćehajić, M. (2013). Politics, policing and security sector reform in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 43–50). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berenschot. (2013, February). Thematic evaluation of rule of law, judicial reform and fight against corruption and organised crime in the Western Balkans-Lot 3, Final Main Report, Service Contract Ref. No 2010/256638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berenskoetter, F. (2008). Under construction: ESDP and the “fight against organized crime”. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 2(2), 175–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capussela, A. (2011, April, 9). Eulex in Kosovo: a shining symbol of incompetence. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/09/eulex-kosovo-eu-mission. Accessed 20 November 2015.

  • Council of the European Union. (2002a, February 18–19). Council general affairs (2409th meeting, 18/19 February 2002).C/02/30, 6247/02 (Presse 30). Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2002b, March 13). Council joint action 2002/210/CFSP (11 March 2002), Official Journal of the European Communities, L 70/1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2003, July 14). Lessons from the planning of the EU police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM), Autumn 2001–December 2002.11206/03 LIMITE CIVCOM 94 PESC 412 COSDP 408 RELEX 275 JAI 206 PROCIV 84 EUPM 3. Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2005a, July 18). Council general affairs (2674th meeting, 18 July 2005).C/05/177, 10813/05 (Presse 177). Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2005b, November 25). Council joint action 2005/824/CFSP (24 November 2005). Official Journal of the European Union, L 307/55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union (2007, November 21) Council joint action 2007/749/CFSP (19 November 2007). Official Journal of the European Union, L 303/40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2008, February 16). Council joint action 2008/124/CFSP of 4 February 2008 on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo. Official Journal of the European Union EN, L42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union (2009, December 9) Council decision 2009/906/CFSP (8 December 2009). Official Journal of the European Union, L 322/22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2010, June 11). Council decision 2010/322/CFSP of 8 June 2010 amending and extending joint action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo. Official Journal of the European Union EN, L145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2012, June 6). Council decision 2012/291/CFSP of 5 June 2012 amending and extending joint action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo. Official Journal of the European Union EN, L146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2014a, June 13). Council decision 2014/349/CFSP of 12 June 2014 amending joint action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo. Official Journal of the European Union EN, L174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2014b, September 30). Council decision 2014/685/CFSP of 29 September 2014 amending joint action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo. Official Journal of the European Union EN, L284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Union. (2015, June 12). Council decision (CFSP) 2015/901 of 11 June 2015 amending joint action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo). Official Journal of the European Union EN, L147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dari, E., Price, M., Van Der Wal, J., Gottwald, M., Koenig, N. (2012, April). CSDP missions and operations: lessons learned processes (Policy Department, PE457.062). Brussels: Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Džihić, V., & Kramer, H. (2009). Kosovo after independence: is the EU’s EULEX mission delivering on its promises? Berlin: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, International Policy Analysis.

    Google Scholar 

  • ECMI Kosovo. (2015, April 21). Incidents and tensions in Mitrovica: The need for unbiased reporting and the strengthening of the rule of law. Pristina: European Centre for Minority Issues Kosovo, Information Bulletin.

    Google Scholar 

  • EU Press Release. (2012, June 30). EU completes its police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Brussels: EN, Press. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/131440.pdf. Accessed 20 August 2013.

  • EULEX. (2011). EULEX programme report 2011: bolstering the rule of law in Kosovo. A stock take. http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/docs/tracking/EULEX%20ProgrammeReport%202011.pdf. Accessed 8 July 2012.

  • EULEX. (2015). Implementation of rule of law. http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/eul/repository/docs/missionaccomplishments_2.pdf. Accessed 13 December 2015.

  • European Commission. (2013a, October 16). Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013 progress report. SWD(2013) 415 Final. Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2013b, October 16). Kosovo 2013 progress report. SWD(2013) 416 Final. Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2014, October 8). Bosnia and Herzegovina 2014 progress report. SWD(2014) 305 Final. Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2015a, November 10). Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 report. SWD(2015) 214 Final. Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2015b, November 10). Kosovo 2015 report. SWD(2015) 215 final, Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Court of Auditors. (2012, October 16). European Union assistance to Kosovo related to the rule of law. Special Report No 18/2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Union External Action. (2012, June). Common security and defence policy. European Union police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Press). http://consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/missionPress/files/EUPM%20factsheet%20EN%20latest%20FINAL.pdf. Accessed 20 August 2013.

  • Fakiolas, E., & Tzifakis, N. (2008). Transformation or accession? Reflecting on the EU’s strategy towards the Western Balkans. European Foreign Affairs Review, 13(3), 377–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flessenkemper, T. (2013a). Support to the fight against organised crime and corruption: between standards, structural reform and pragmatism. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 27–33). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flessenkemper, T. (2013b). Lessons from staffing and equipping EUPM. Learning by doing? In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 58–65). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flessenkemper, T., & Helly, D. (Eds.) (2013). Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fréjabue, E. (2013). Lessons from EUPM: a legal approach. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 34–43). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Perez, M., & Glume, G. (2015). Scope of missions and operations. Civilian CSDP missions. In: J. Rehrl & G. Glume (Eds.), Handbook on CSDP missions and operations. The common security and defence policy of the European Union (pp. 162–168). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazetta Express. (2015, November 4). O’Connell: The corrupted are going unpunished. Gazetta Express. http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/oconnell-the-corrupted-are-going-unpunished-142224/. Accessed 25 February 2016.

  • Gross, E. (2012). The end of the EU police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina: what lessons for the common security and defence policy? (EPC Policy Brief, 13 June), Brussels: European Policy Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayden, R. M. (2005). “Democracy” without a Demos? The Bosnian constitutional experiment and the international construction of nonfunctioning states. East European Politics and Societies, 19(2), 567–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House of Lords. (2013, April 25). Unrevised transcript of evidence taken before the select committee on the European Union Sub-Committee C (external affairs) inquiry on EULEX KOSOVO. Evidence Session 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Commission of Jurists. (2016, February 24). Uncharted transition: the “integration” of the justice system in Kosovo – a briefing paper. Geneva. http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Kosovo-Integration-of-the-justice-system-Publications-2016-ENG.pdf. Accessed 19 March 2016.

  • International Crisis Group. (2011, March 14). North Kosovo: dual sovereignty in practice. Europe Report 211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ioannides, I. (2013). EU peace support operations in the Western Balkans since 2003. In: E. Prifti (Ed.), The European future of the Western Balkans. Thessaloniki@10 (2003–2013). (pp. 55–62). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacqué, J. P. (2015, March 31). Review of the EULEX Kosovo mission’s implementation of the mandate with a particular focus on the handling of the recent allegations. Report to the attention of High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, Ms Federica Mogherini.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board. (2013, September). Compact progress report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board. (2014, June). Compact progress report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board. (2015, September). Compact progress report: assessing progress between July 2014–July 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juncos, E. A. (2007). Police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In: M. Emerson & E. Gross (Eds.), Evaluating the EU’s crisis missions in the Balkans (pp. 46–80). Brussels: Centre for European Policy Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kammel, A. (2015). From EUPM Bosnia to EUMAM RCA. Snapshot of ongoing and past CSDP missions and operations. In: J. Rehrl & G. Glume (Eds.), Handbook on CSDP missions and operations. The common security and defence policy of the European Union. (pp. 106–111). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • KIPRED. (2013, January). A comprehensive analysis of EULEX: what next? Policy Paper 1/13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner, E. (2013). Common security and defence Policy peace operations in the Western Balkans: impact and lessons learned. European Security, 22(1), 36–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knaus, G., & Cox, M. (2005). The “Helsinki Moment” in Southeastern Europe. Journal of Democracy, 16(1), 39–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kovačević, A., & Visca, H. (2015). Assessment of police integrity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgrade & Sarajevo: Belgrade Centre for Security Policy & Centre for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malešič, M. (2011). Civilian crisis management in the EU-structural and functional aspects. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 15(1–2), 152–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marijan, B., & Guzina, D. (2014, June). The politics of the “unfinished business’: Bosnian police reform (Cigi Policy Brief, 42). https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/cigi_pb_42.pdf. Accessed 18 November 2015.

  • Marty, D. (2010, December 12). Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, AS/Jur (2010)46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthiessen, M. (2013). The institutional genesis of the EUPM. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 13–19). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAllester, M. (2011, March 27). Kosovo’s Mafia: how the US and allies ignore allegations of organized crime at the highest levels of a new democracy. Global Post. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/110321/kosovo-hashim-thaci-organized-crime. Accessed 8 March 2016.

  • Merlingen, M. (2009). EUPM (Bosnia and Herzegovina). In: G. Grevi, D. Helly, D. Keohane (Eds.), European security and defence policy: the first ten years (1999–2009) (pp. 161–171). Paris: The European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, A. (2014). CSDP police missions: comparing bottom-up and top-down approaches. European Foreign Affairs Review, 19(2), 283–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musliu, V., & Geci, S. (2014). Deconstructing and defining EULEX. Central European Journal of International & Security Studies, 8(1), 66–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opitz, A. (2014). Rule of law. In: J. Rehrl (Ed.), Handbook for decision makers. The common security and defence policy of the European Union (pp. 151–153). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papadimitriou, P., & Petrov, P. (2012). Whose rule, whose law? Contested statehood, external leverage and the European Union’s rule of law mission in Kosovo. Journal of Common Market Studies, 50(5), 746–763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penksa, S.-E. (2013). Measuring impact: specific achievements and outcomes. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 66–72). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrovic, M. (2013). The democratic transition of post-communist Europe. In the shadow of communist differences and uneven Europeanisation. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Prelec, M., & Rashiti, N. (2015, March 19). Serb integration in Kosovo: after the Brussels agreement. Balkans Policy Research Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radin, A. (2014). Analysis of current events: “towards the rule of law in Kosovo: EULEX should go”. Nationalities Papers, 42(2), 181–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehrl, J. (2014). Training and recruitment. In: J. Rehrl (Ed.), Handbook for decision makers. The common security and defence policy of the European Union (p. 71). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, S. (2009, December). Promoting rule of law without state-building: can EULEX square the circle in Kosovo? In: M. Asseburg & R. Kempin, (Eds.), The EU as a strategic actor in the realm of security and defense? A systematic assessment of ESDP missions and operations (pp. 30–45). Berlin: Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Research Paper 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozée, S. (2015). Order-maintenance in Kosovo: the EU as an increasingly comprehensive police actor? European Foreign Affairs Review, 20(1), 97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. (2016, March 7). Brussels sparks political showdown in Kosovo. The Weekly Standard. http://www.weeklystandard.com/brussels-sparks-political-showdown-in-kosovo/article/2001446. Accessed 17 March 2016.

  • Solana, J. (2013). The closure of EUPM: back to the future. In: T. Flessenkemper & D. Helly (Eds.), Ten years after: lessons from the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2002–2012 (Joint Report, pp. 3–5). Paris: European Union Institute for Security Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sudetic, C. (2015, July 21). The bullies who run Kosovo. Politico. http://www.politico.eu/article/kosovo-hashim-thaci-un-special-court-tribunal-organ-trafficking-kla-serbia-milosevic-serbia-ramush/. Accessed 18 August 2015.

  • Tolksdorf, D. (2014). Incoherent peacebuilding: the European Union’s support for the police sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002–8. International Peacekeeping, 21(1), 56–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzifakis, N. (2012). Bosnia’s slow Europeanisation. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 13(2), 131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzifakis, N. (2013). The European Union in Kosovo reflecting on the credibility and efficiency deficit. Problems of Post-Communism, 60(1), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Security Council. (2008, June 12). Report of the secretary-general on the United Nations interim administration mission in Kosovo. S/2008/354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, B. (2015, November). Progress undone? Trading democracy for solving the status dispute in Kosovo. Berlin: Democratization Policy Council, DPC Policy Paper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, B., & West, L. (2014, April). EULEX – Towards an integrated exit strategy: strengthening the rule of law through EU-integration. Pristina and Berlin: Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) and Democratization Policy Council (DPC), Policy Report 05/14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winkelhofer, R. (2015). Human rights and rule of law. In: J. Rehrl & G. Glume (Eds.), Handbook on CSDP missions and operations. The common security and defence policy of the European Union (pp. 116–119). Vienna: Directorate for Security Policy of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yabanci, B. (2016). The (Il)legitimacy of EU state building: local support and contention in Kosovo. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 16(3), 345–373.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge that research for this chapter was conducted with the support of a grant (Pelopas) provided by the Research Committee of the University of the Peloponnese. The authors would also like to thank the book editors for their comments and suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Efstathios T. Fakiolas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fakiolas, E.T., Tzifakis, N. (2017). Chapter 7: Establishing the Rule of Law in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Contribution of the EU Civilian Missions. In: Fish, M., Gill, G., Petrovic, M. (eds) A Quarter Century of Post-Communism Assessed. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43437-7_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics