UNMIK/PR/1159
PRISTINA – SRSG Harri Holkeri made the following remarks at the Pristina Airport handover ceremony today:
“Excellencies,
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Today we celebrate the handover of authority from KFOR to UNMIK. After five years of military control over Kosovo’s central air hub, the civilian authority takes over.
“This step conveys the positive message that, in spite of the terrible setback caused by the violence two weeks ago, we are moving forward.
“Many people have contributed with their expertise, energy and commitment to reach the stage we are at today.
“First of all, I would like to thank NATO and KFOR for ensuring Kosovo’s lifeline to the outside world: since the beginning of UNMIK’s administration in Kosovo, KFOR has made it possible for civil aviation to have access to the territory. My recognition goes especially to the KFOR contingents in this field: Britain, Hungary, Italy, Russia, and the Multinational Contingent lead by Iceland.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Since 1999 we have seen the airport developing from a facility used mainly for military and humanitarian purposes to a dynamic civil aviation airport. It will handle over 800,000 civilian passengers in 2004, making it the largest airport, in terms of passengers, in the region.
“Its continued operation is both essential to the mission of UNMIK and the future of Kosovo and the region.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Iceland plays a key role in the development of Pristina Airport. It is therefore a great honour for me to welcome Minister Sturla Bödvarsson, and to express my deepest gratitude to the Government of Iceland for their positive response to my personal request to support UNMIK’s civilian Airport operations.
“Without Iceland playing this role, UNMIK would not be able to maintain the operations of Pristina Airport.
“Finally I would also like to thank the UNMIK offices, KTA, the Central Regulatory Unit, the Civil Aviation Regulatory Office and the Directors and staff of the airport enterprises whose motivation has made it possible to develop this functioning Airport structure.
“We owe a special thanks to UNMIK’s EU Pillar for it assuming responsibility for management of Publicly-owned Enterprises such as the airport.
“Over the last few years, the input by Kosovans has been fundamental to the success of the Airport operations. The airport will now be run by Kosovans: they represent a big majority of the technical staff.
“Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Yesterday, Prime Minister Rexhepi and I launched the Standards Implementation Plan for Kosovo. The Standards reflect European values and are a yardstick for Kosovo’s political, economic and human progress. What is true for Kosovo, is also true for its Airport: we are NOT going for minimal standards. We aim to reach the highest possible standards in Europe.
“Over the next two years, Pristina Airport will continue rebuilding and improving its facilities, to live up to our initial aspiration of having one of the best airports in Southeast Europe.
“Thank you.”