Pristina - The European Union's mission in Kosovo (Eulex) became fully operational on Monday, four months after it was launched with the goal of helping Kosovo implement the rule of law.

During a short press conference at the opening of new central headquarters in Pristina, the head of the Eulex Yves de Kermabon said that the Eulex became fully operational and that with 3,000 people, it was the biggest EU mission in the world.

The EU Special Representative Pieter Feith said the EU "will continue to support unconditionally the Eulex and its work."

The Eulex, launched on December 9, 2008, is compromised of 2,500 foreign officials and some 500 local staff whose aim is to train and advise local authorities.

Since it began its activities, the Eulex has started a new court process for a war crimes cases, the mission said in a statement.

The Eulex also initiated more than 80 court processes and supervised 13 exhumations, identifying the remains of 23 people who disappeared earlier. It also set up 34 police stations around Kosovo, according to the statement.

The mission was a constant presence on the border crossings in northern Kosovo.

The Eulex replaced the UN administration (UNMIK) which had been running Kosovo since 1999.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 and was recognized by more than 55 countries, including United States and most of the EU. Serbia bitterly opposes it. (dpa)