EN E-000889/2011 Reply (10.5.2011)

It is not for the Council to comment on articles published in the press or on confidential documents produced by another organisation. In its conclusions of 14 December 2010 on the enlargement and stabilisation and association process, the Council stressed that major challenges remain in . These include rule of law, public administration reform, the fight against organised crime, corruption, money laundering, migration, asylum, ensuring freedom of expression, the protection and integration of Serbs and other minorities as well as enhancing dialogue and reconciliation between the communities. Furthermore, the Council encouraged Kosovo to continue to cooperate with the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) and to ensure support for EULEX Kosovo's work. As concerns the report1 by the , the Council takes very seriously allegations of war crimes contained therein and looks forward to their full investigation by appropriate prosecuting authorities, including EULEX Kosovo. As an initial technical step, EULEX prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into the allegations contained in the Council of Europe report. EULEX called on all relevant organizations and individuals, including Dick Marty, the Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on this issue, to present what evidence they have in regard to these serious accusations. Any evidence of criminal activity will be dealt with in accordance with legal process, the outcome and the consequence of which cannot be anticipated.

1 Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo, Report, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Rapporteur: Mr Dick Marty, , Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Doc. 12462.