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EU mission to be deployed throughout Kosovo-Britain
05 Nov 2008 17:47:37 GMT
Source: Reuters
PRISTINA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The European Union's police and justice mission will be deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo despite Serbian opposition, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Wednesday.

"The next step is the full deployment of EULEX throughout the territory of Kosovo and that will happen," said Miliband after meeting Kosovo's president and prime minister.

The European Union's rule of law mission's deployment, designed to keep an international presence in Kosovo, is facing delays after Belgrade and 120,000 Kosovo Serbs said they rejected it.

"For the United Kingdom it's right to be friends with all countries of the Western Balkans. We care about your security, your stability and your prosperity," Miliband said.

Miliband said the aim of the EU mission was to protect all citizens of Kosovo. The mission has the approval of the 27 EU member states, but Belgrade demands approval by the United Nations Security Council.

Kosovo's 90-percent Albanian majority declared independence in February after nine years under U.N. stewardship.

The United Nations gave a green light last month for Serbia's motion to seek the International Court of Justice's opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence.

So far, 52 countries have recognised the independence of Kosovo. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci, Editing by Ljilja Cvekic and Elizabeth Piper)
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