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EU launches Kosovo police mission EU launches Kosovo police mission
(about 5 hours later)
The European Union has launched its mission to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo, after months of delay.The European Union has launched its mission to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo, after months of delay.
Nearly 2,000 officials are taking over police, justice and customs duties from United Nations staff.Nearly 2,000 officials are taking over police, justice and customs duties from United Nations staff.
Serbia rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence in February and still regards Kosovo as one of its provinces, but it has accepted the new EU mission.Serbia rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence in February and still regards Kosovo as one of its provinces, but it has accepted the new EU mission.
The UN will leave Kosovo after more than a decade in charge, retaining only a small political role.The UN will leave Kosovo after more than a decade in charge, retaining only a small political role.
Eulex is the EU's biggest-ever mission and will operate across all of Kosovo. The 1,900 international officials will be supported by about 1,100 local staff.Eulex is the EU's biggest-ever mission and will operate across all of Kosovo. The 1,900 international officials will be supported by about 1,100 local staff.
The EU will oversee the running of the police, the courts and the customs service.The EU will oversee the running of the police, the courts and the customs service.
The aim is to help the authorities deal with corruption and organised crime.The aim is to help the authorities deal with corruption and organised crime.
Eulex deployed peacefully to the main Serbia-Kosovo border crossing on Tuesday and traffic to and from Serbia continued as normal, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from the scene.Eulex deployed peacefully to the main Serbia-Kosovo border crossing on Tuesday and traffic to and from Serbia continued as normal, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from the scene.
The customs post at Jarinje was set ablaze in February by Kosovan Serbs angry at Kosovo's declaration of independence.The customs post at Jarinje was set ablaze in February by Kosovan Serbs angry at Kosovo's declaration of independence.
But now the blue EU flag flutters there, with Belgrade's blessing, our correspondent says.But now the blue EU flag flutters there, with Belgrade's blessing, our correspondent says.
Delayed missionDelayed mission
Eulex was supposed to have started months ago but it was plagued by delays and opposition from Serbia.Eulex was supposed to have started months ago but it was plagued by delays and opposition from Serbia.
Belgrade has now accepted the plan, however many Kosovo Serbs are still unhappy that the UN is leaving.Belgrade has now accepted the plan, however many Kosovo Serbs are still unhappy that the UN is leaving.
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Mixed reception for EU in Kosovo How the EU force is being received in Pristina
The EU police say they are neutral on the status of Kosovo and are keen to show that they can deploy whenever and wherever they wish, our correspondent says.The EU police say they are neutral on the status of Kosovo and are keen to show that they can deploy whenever and wherever they wish, our correspondent says.
About 20 Eulex officials entered the court building in the mainly Serb north of Mitrovica - a flashpoint town in the past, where Serbs and Albanians are separated by the Ibar River, the AFP news agency reports.About 20 Eulex officials entered the court building in the mainly Serb north of Mitrovica - a flashpoint town in the past, where Serbs and Albanians are separated by the Ibar River, the AFP news agency reports.
The mission is a huge test for the EU, says political analyst Lulzim Peci.The mission is a huge test for the EU, says political analyst Lulzim Peci.
"If you succeed here, then you can prove to be capable to be engaged in other crises. But if you fail in Kosovo... then you lose credibility for overseas operations," he says."If you succeed here, then you can prove to be capable to be engaged in other crises. But if you fail in Kosovo... then you lose credibility for overseas operations," he says.
There have been protests by some of the majority ethnic Albanians, who believe that too many concessions have been made to Serbia.There have been protests by some of the majority ethnic Albanians, who believe that too many concessions have been made to Serbia.
The Eulex deployment is expected to be complete in a few months' time.The Eulex deployment is expected to be complete in a few months' time.
Eulex police spokeswoman Karin Limdal told BBC News that Eulex activities would include war crimes investigations, tracking down missing people and measures to curb people trafficking.Eulex police spokeswoman Karin Limdal told BBC News that Eulex activities would include war crimes investigations, tracking down missing people and measures to curb people trafficking.
The UN mission, Unmik, has been in charge in Kosovo since 1999 - the year that a Nato bombing campaign triggered a withdrawal of Serb forces, who had been widely condemned for human rights abuses.The UN mission, Unmik, has been in charge in Kosovo since 1999 - the year that a Nato bombing campaign triggered a withdrawal of Serb forces, who had been widely condemned for human rights abuses.
Nearly 16,000 Nato-led K-For troops remain in Kosovo, maintaining security.Nearly 16,000 Nato-led K-For troops remain in Kosovo, maintaining security.
Eulex has personnel from 26 EU member states as well as from five non-EU countries, Ms Limdal said. France and Italy are providing the biggest police contingents.Eulex has personnel from 26 EU member states as well as from five non-EU countries, Ms Limdal said. France and Italy are providing the biggest police contingents.