UNMIK/PR/186
PRISTINA - After discussing recent events in Mitrovica, the Kosovo Transitional Council today issued a statement condemning the new outbreak of violence in Mitrovica and calling for dialogue as the only way to achieve lasting peace in Kosovo. Following the full text of the statement:
The KTC deplored in the strongest terms the violence which broke out yesterday in Mitrovica. Such continuing violence and hatred hurt all people in Kosovo.
We want to enable all communities in Mitrovica to lead a normal and peaceful life. This requires a steady process, in which the rights and the security of all national communities in Mitrovica must be respected and ensured. The difficult issues in Mitrovica can only be resolved through joint efforts of the representatives of the international community in Kosovo together with political leaders from all Kosovo communities.
There can be no excuse for such senseless violent acts. Resolution through peaceful dialogue is the only way for Kosovo to move toward lasting peace.
Today's KTC meeting was presided by the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Jock Covey, who briefed the council on the last two meetings of the Interim Administrative Council. He also informed the council about the briefing of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernard Kouchner, to the UN Security Council earlier this week.
Sir Christopher Patten, Commissioner for Foreign Relations of the European Commission, was also present at today's meeting and assured the council of the continuing engagement of the European Union in the rebuilding of Kosovo.
Patten told the council that 360 Million Euro of the 600 Million Euro, which the European Commission has earmarked for the former Yugoslavia and Albania, would be spent in Kosovo. The funds will go into reconstruction projects in the areas of transport, housing, water and electricity as well as into the Kosovo budget and into the establishment of a functioning civil administration on all levels in Kosovo.