Nicasia Picciano Livres

The book explores the EULEX Kosovo mission, the largest civilian operation in history, aimed at fostering sustainable and accountable institutions in Kosovo. Despite its significant investment and efforts to develop an independent justice and law enforcement system, the mission fell short of achieving its goals, particularly in the northern regions. It argues that without the integration of the north, discussions on rule of law and multi-ethnicity remain superficial. The narrative emphasizes that rule of law encompasses more than mere technical compliance, highlighting critical lessons learned from the mission's challenges.

This research provides the first comprehensive overview of EU conflict management in Kosovo, focusing on the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) since its inception. It compares EULEX's actions and shortcomings with those of its predecessor, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The study offers insights into the challenges faced by third-party interventions in post-conflict scenarios like Kosovo, drawing on perspectives from key figures involved in peace and state-building efforts. It highlights that the limitations of such interventions are not solely contextual but are also influenced by the external actors involved, due to institutional and organizational factors. The research argues that EULEX's structure and approach have hindered its ability to break away from the inactivities of its predecessor, raising questions about its effectiveness and added value in the region. EULEX has struggled to foster local ownership in the judicial sector and to transfer its expertise across Kosovo. These findings prompt a reevaluation of the EU's approach to rule of law and multi-ethnicity in similar contexts. This contribution aims to enrich ongoing discussions on state-building, using EULEX as a case study while offering valuable recommendations for academics, EU experts, and practitioners.