The European Union (EU) on Saturday appointed Dutchman Pieter Feith as its special representative to Kosovo, which is to unilaterally declare independence from Serbia on Sunday.
Feith, 63, former leader of EU crisis missions, is to be responsible for political issues and chief coordinator of the EU in Kosovo, according to a news release from the EU Council.
Former French General Yves de Kermabon, 59, was named head of the EU civilian mission, EULUX, which will begin deployment in Kosovo next week.
The EU mission, which was finally approved through a "silent procedure" at midnight on Friday, will be composed of more than 1,800 police officers, judges and prosecutors.
The costs of the mission are estimated at 205 million euros (301 million U.S. dollars) for a period of 16 months, the release said.
The EU said that the mission would help transition of power from the United Nations to local authorities after Kosovo's independence, which has been supported by most EU nations and the United States.
Serbia and Russia have strongly opposed Kosovo's move and the deployment of the EU mission, saying it would trigger similar acts in other parts of the world and violate Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Kosovo, where 90 percent of its population are ethnic Albanians, has been administrated by the United Nations since 1999.
Source: Xinhua
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