UNMIK/PR/1153
PRISTINA – Today DSRSG Francesco Bastagli and PM Bajram Rexhepi, accompanied by Minister of Culture Bexhet Brajshori and Minister for Spatial Planning Ethem Çeku, witnessed the start of reconstruction of the YU-building in Ulpiana. The building suffered severe damages in the riots of last week. Work commenced today on the cleaning-up of the building and its vicinity, following which renovation will be undertaken. Prime Minister Rexhepi said that he hoped the renovation would be completed in 10 days.
“This is a good beginning, but much more needs to be done”, said DSRSG Francesco Bastagli. He stressed that the affected communities have to be involved in the reconstruction of the building. Bastagli expressed his support for the initiative of the Kosovo Provisional Government (PISG), which has set up a special fund for the reparation of Serbian houses, churches and cultural heritage destroyed in the riots.
Bastagli pointed out that UNMIK has created a Reconstruction Support Team that will cooperate with the PISG. He stressed that besides the repairing of material damages, confidence and trust between the communities have to be rebuilt.