Barbano on the formation of a gendarmerie: EULEX will provide advice and expertise, if requested

The head of the EULEX mission in Kosovo, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, says that discussions on the creation of a gendarmerie, announced by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, must take into account the legal framework set out by the Constitution, which recognizes the Kosovo Police as the main and only law enforcement institution.

According to Barbano, the information available at this stage is limited, as the steps taken so far toward establishing a gendarmerie are still in their initial phase.

“Naturally, we respect local ownership of the process, but we must also keep in mind the legal framework defined by the Constitution, which considers the Kosovo Police to be the main and only law enforcement institution. Therefore, whatever solution is found for this project must respect this legal framework, as well as the other limitations set out by various agreements and arrangements. We are ready to monitor these developments. The mission remains closely engaged in following this issue and, if requested, to provide advice and expertise,” Barbano says in an interview with KosovaPress.

He further adds that there is already well-established coordination between the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX, while stressing that, if a new structure such as a gendarmerie is created, it will be essential for it to be included in the same coordination mechanism.

“Again, we already have a very well-tested coordination mechanism between the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX in various areas of our mandates, with joint training sessions and periodic meetings. Therefore, if a new actor is created, it will be extremely important for it to be integrated into the same coordination mechanism,” Barbano said.