The UNMIK spokesman Alexander Ivanko stated yesterday that the UNMIK and EULEX were separate missions in Kosovo, and the UN mission has not yet received instructions from headquarters in New York for a transfer of powers to EULEX.

Ivanko said, “The future role of the UN and EU missions in Kosovo is the subject of the ongoing talks between the UN and EU.” The UNMIK spokesman asserted that UNMIK had “not received any official instructions to transfer powers to EULEX,” though the two missions were liaising.

Admitting that there were obstacles to establishing their mission in the province by June 15, EULEX spokeswoman said, “Complete establishment of the EULEX mission by June 15 will be difficult to achieve, because of problems on the ground. Nevertheless, the mission is being built, and its establishment is continuing.”

According to reports from diplomatic sources in Brussels, Certain EU member-states that have not recognized Kosovo are now in two minds over earlier promises that they would not block the EU’s engagement in Kosovo. Thus, some states are refusing to send their people to the EU mission in Kosovo until a solution is reached between the EU and the UN over UNMIK’s withdrawal from the province.