UNMIK/PR/1278
PRISTINA – The SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen has just addressed the inaugural session of the Assembly.
The following is the text of his address:
“Dear Chairman,
Distinguished Members of the Assembly,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear guests:
I am honoured to be at this inaugural session of the new Assembly and I congratulate you on your election.
Allow me first of all to thank the outgoing Government led by Prime Minister Rexhepi for its work over the past years. That Government took significant steps in bringing forward issues of importance for Kosovo, and made important progress in the recovery from the terrible violence of last March.
The October elections, which brought you here, were determined to be free and fair, and they proceeded in a peaceful manner. They were indeed a credit to Kosovo. Today’s session is the reflection of that democratic process.
As members of the highest representative and legislative body of the Provisional Institutions of Self Government, you have a very important responsibility not only to your voters, whose trust in you must now be honoured, but also to Kosovo as a whole. You have the responsibility to make informed and conscientious decisions that are in the interests of all the people of Kosovo.
I have just returned from NY, where I briefed the Security Council on the situation in Kosovo, including our evaluation of progress and the way forward. I am pleased to tell you that I received strong support from the Security Council on the strategy for moving forward. That means that there is now a strong expectation on Kosovo’s ability to deliver real progress on standards in order to pave the way for a positive assessment in mid-2005 and the subsequent process leading to talks on final status. It is now up to you to show results. It is for this reason crucial that the new Assembly and Government begin functioning immediately. In this task, UNMIK is ready to support you.
As you know, implementation of Standards must be a priority for the PISG throughout the next months, in order to ensure that sufficient progress is made prior to the comprehensive assessment planned for mid-2005. The Assembly will play a key role in passing legislation that is vital to the fulfilment of Standards. However, it is equally important that the legislative process should be carried out in an open, democratic and accountable manner in full conformity with the Constitutional Framework. This too is a key Standard.
The previous Assembly frequently held public hearings to consult with local experts and members of the public on draft legislation and other matters of general interest, and I encourage you to build on that tradition. The Provisional Institutions must reach out to the larger public, listen to their concerns, and act upon them.
Indeed, Standards require that the legislative process should accommodate the concerns and opinions of all of Kosovo’s Communities. For a number of reasons, Kosovo Serb participation in the elections was regrettably low, but there is still room for the active participation of all Kosovo’s communities in the Assembly Presidency and Committees.
It is the responsibility of each Assembly Member, not just the committees or bodies designed specifically to consider Community interests, to give due consideration to viable proposals. It is the responsibility of all of you to make Kosovo a better place for all of its inhabitants.
As you are aware, UNMIK intends to transfer all competencies not directly involving sovereignty to the Provisional Institutions of Self Government as soon as possible. The recent establishment of three new ministries – returns and communities, energy and mining, and local government – will be followed by further transfers, particularly in the area of the economy and, eventually, also in areas linked to justice and security. UNMIK and the Provisional Institutions of Self Government should take a common approach in partnership in determining the best strategy for the transfer of competencies.
However, the transfer of competencies only has sense if it leads to productive and positive actions. Additional competencies mean greater accountability and greater responsibility, particularly in light of the need to make progress on standards. I am fully prepared to use all tools and measures at my disposal to actively enforce the accountability of the Provisional Institutions.
These tools include strong monitoring and oversight but also eventual sanctions. I am prepared to challenge officials who fail to carry out their duties responsibly, or who block attempts to make improvements in key areas such as minority rights, freedom of movement, returns of displaced persons, equal provision of services, responsible media, and security. I count on the consistent support of the Provisional Institutions in the implementation of this policy and specific actions.
I am also fully aware that a successful transfer of competencies will require the building of additional capacities within the Provisional Institutions. To this end, I have taken the initiative to mobilise donors’ assistance to the Provisional Institutions.
The next 12 months will be crucial in determining the future of Kosovo. The work of the Assembly, the Government coalition, as well as the parliamentary opposition, will determine to a large extent whether Kosovo succeeds or fails. Failure, however, is not an option. Only hard work, real action, and progress in the interest of Kosovo will count.
Thank you for inviting me to speak, and I wish you a productive term in office!”