Operations Support

Operations Support

Operations Support

Operational functions are undertaken by the Mission’s Operations Support Pillar which maintains a limited residual capability as a second security responder and provides support to Kosovo Police’s crowd-and-riot control operational development. More specifically, EULEX’s Formed Police Unit (FPU), which consists of 105 Polish Police Officers, is Kosovo’s second security responder, as part of a three-layer security responder mechanism where Kosovo Police is the first security responder, EULEX is the second one, and KFOR is the third security responder. In its role as second security responder, the EULEX FPU can only engage at the explicit request of the first security responder in order to contribute to the maintenance and promotion of public order and security in cases of civil disturbance. To gain situational awareness, the FPU is conducting mobile reconnaissance patrols 24/7, working in shifts. The FPU regularly participates in crowd-and-riot control exercises together with the Kosovo Police and KFOR. From 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023, the FPU has participated in ten joint trainings with the Kosovo Police and KFOR, 11 trainings with the Kosovo Police and 70 trainings with KFOR. The aim of such trainings is to ensure smooth coordination among the three security responders in case of a real-life deployment.

EULEX also supports the Kosovo Police in the field of international police cooperation by facilitating the exchange of information between the Kosovo Police and Interpol, Europol or the Serbian Ministry of Interior. From 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023, EULEX has received and sent 1695 requests related to the exchange of information between Europol and the Kosovo Police and 2731 requests related to the information exchange between the Kosovo Police and the Serbian Ministry of Interior in line with the protocol on police cooperation between the two entities. The Mission also facilitates the exchange of information between the National Central Bureaus of Interpol and the Kosovo Police's International Law Enforcement Coordination Unit under the umbrella of the Interpol Liaison Office within UNMIK. From 15 June 2018 to 14 June 2023, EULEX staff members working in the Interpol Liaison Office within UNMIK received and sent 10130 requests.

In addition, the Mission continues to manage its own witness protection programme.

EULEX experts continue to work together with their local counterparts at the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the fate of missing persons by offering expertise and advice in the identification of potential clandestine graves and the exhumation and identification of victims from the Kosovo conflict. From the beginning of EULEX’s mandate until 14 June 2023, EULEX has conducted 736 field operations to locate missing persons, including 198 exhumations. The remains of 491 individuals have been identified, including 339 missing persons. In addition, EULEX’s experts work together with the Kosovo authorities to address the issue of body remains at the Pristina morgue.

The Mission also assists the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor’s Office with logistic and operational support in line with relevant Kosovo legislation.