UNMIK/PR/1279
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today congratulated the Assembly on its inaugural session. “The dignified manner in which this first session has just been conducted, with the proceedings carried out in full accordance with the Constitutional Framework, is a credit to all of the Assembly’s members and to the people of Kosovo whom they now represent”, the SRSG said.
In his address at the opening of the inaugural session of the Assembly, the SRSG underscored that implementation of Standards must be a priority for the PISG throughout the next months, and 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”, he added.
The SRSG congratulated the re-elected President, Ibrahim Rugova, the President of the Assembly Nexhat Daci, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, and the new government ministers. He pleged UNMIK’s readiness to support them and said that he was looking forward to working with them in true partnership.
The SRSG also thanked the outgoing Governent led by Prime Minister Bajram 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,” he said.
He reaffirmed UNMIK’s intention to transfer all areas of competence not directly involving sovereignty to the PISG as soon as possible and stressed that further transfer of responsibilities also means greater accountability, especially 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,” the SRSG added.
“The next 12 months will be crucial in determining the future of Kosovo”, the SRSG said. “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”.