To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the legal basis for the deployment of the EU's civilian mission to Kosovo. (178912)

We are satisfied that the mission is established on a sound legal basis.

The EU's European Security and Defence Policy rule of law mission to Kosovo will be based on the powers in the treaty on EU, drawing on the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as well as an invitation by the Kosovo government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the final decision on the (a) date and (b) modalities of the EU mission for Kosovo will be made; and if he will make a statement. (183381)

We are working intensively with our international partners in the EU and UN to bring the Kosovo status process through to rapid completion.

The political decision to deploy the EU’s European Security and Defence Policy rule of law mission to Kosovo was taken at the European Council on 14 December 2007. The EU underlined that it stands ready to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in implementing a settlement defining Kosovo’s future status.