EU-NATO Cooperation in the Area of Crisis Management: Case of Kosovo

Abstract

Abstract EU-NATO relations have come to the spotlight particularly due to the increasing focus of the EU on strengthening its military dimension as part of its evolving Common Security and Defense Policy. In this context, Kosovo provides a very interesting case concerning the level of cooperation between the EU and NATO in the area of crisis management given that the EU maintains in Kosovo the largest civilian mission launched to date (i.e. EULEX) which can also make use of a limited number of executive powers whereas NATO has deployed KFOR as a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since 1999. This article aims at elucidating the relations between EULEX and KFOR on the ground amidst the lack of a formal agreement on the coordination of strategic efforts between NATO and the EU at the military strategic level.