Kosovo Serbs say that they are opposed to the deployment of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) without the approval of the UN. They view the deployment of the mission as a symbol of Kosovo's independence.
The EU says that EULEX "will assist Kosovo authorities, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies in their progress towards sustainability and accountability."
Protests took place in three towns, including Mitrovica in north Kosovo, the site of violent clashes between UN police and Serb protestors in March. Thursday's protests passed off without incident.
Marko Jaksic, a Serbian community leader, said the EU mission was intended to rob Serbs of their territory. He also demanded that Belgrade urgently adopt a special charter for Kosovo.
A UN report published on Thursday said that over 60 percent of Kosovo Serbs are worried about their personal "safety".
EULEX, comprising around 2,000 police and judicial personnel, was established by the EU Council on February 16, a day before Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.
Kosovo has so far been recognized by 47 states, including the U.S. and the majority of EU countries. Russia has backed its ally Serbia in refusing to acknowledge Kosovo. China has also refused to recognize it.
According to the EU, EULEX was expected to enter its "operational phase" last June. However, only around 400 mission personnel have been deployed so far.
The EU mission is intended to reinforce the interim administration of the United Nations, which has been in charge of the territory since 1999, after NATO bombings of the former Yugoslavia ended a war between Kosovo Albanians and Serb forces.
