UNMIK/PR/777
PRISTINA – SRSG Michael Steiner returned from his visit to Montenegro today, where he met Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, foreign minister Dragan Durovic, deputy finance minister Koviljka Mihajlovic and representatives of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community IDPs from Kosovo living in Montenegro.
SRSG Michael Steiner said that his talks with President Djukanovic were “interesting and intensive” and related to the future developments in the region. He said it was important to achieve progress in the region and foster rule of law. “President Djukanovic was fully behind our zero tolerance against crime policy”.
SRSG Michael Steiner and President Djukanovic discussed the feasibility of co-locating the customs sift-points of UNMIK and Montenegro in Kulla Pass to curb smuggling activity in that area. They also discussed the issue of the customs and other tariff on the trade traffic between Kosovo and Montenegro. SRSG Michael Steiner said that Montenegrin taxes were very high, while UNMIK has quite low rates. Experts from both sides will discuss this issue further.
Representatives of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community IDPs from Kosovo living in Montenegro also met SRSG Michael Steiner. He invited them to come and visit Kosovo to see the changed situation for themselves.