UNMIK/PR/107
SRSG Bernard Kouchner arrived in Skopje this morning for high-level talks with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian (FYROM) Government representatives on the first leg of a visit that will also take him to Albania for talks with the Government there.
At the meeting with the Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, and his Ministers of Interior and Urban Planning, Dr. Kouchner briefed his interlocutors on the progress made by UNMIK over the last five months in setting up a Civil Administration in Kosovo. He also described the security situation in the territory, and in particular, efforts to increase the protection of minorities. He outlined the political situation and his work undertaken to create a mixed administrative structure for Kosovo.
The two delegations also explored ways to reinforce the economic cooperation between Kosovo and FYROM and to re-establish economic ties. The issue of the possibility of enlarging the highway around the border crossing, finalizing work on opening a second border crossing near Tetovo and other connected issues were also discussed. The SRSG thanked the FYROM Government for clearing up the backlog of vehicles and trucks on the Macedonian side of the border. Both agreed on the need for more regular and frequent meetings in order to exchange information and deal with any problems that may arise.
At a working luncheon with the Deputy Foreign Minister and President-designate Boris Trajkovski, the question of revitalizing economic relations within the context of the Balkan Stability Pact was discussed. The two also explored ways to encourage private investments for the whole region, to be undertaken in a spirit of cooperation. They also discussed the political and security situation in the Balkans. Mr. Trajkovski raised the issue of the remaining 21,000 refugees from Kosovo in the FYROM and their possible repatriation in the spring of next year. The President-designate offered his country’s cooperation in the reconstruction process in Kosovo.
Talking to the press, Bernard Kouchner praised FYROM as a model of tolerance and multi-ethnic harmony which should be followed in Kosovo. To a question on the proposed mixed administrative structure, the SRSG said that it was his intention to involve Kosovars in the administration of the territory and not to take any decisions without their participation.
“The SRSG will, of course, retain the ultimate authority under Security Council Resolution 1244”, Kouchner said, adding that he was hopeful that a positive result on the outcome of a mixed administration could be reached before the end of the year.
In answer to a question on the recent murder of a Serb professor in Pristina, Dr. Kouchner reiterated his shock and disgust at the incident which testified to the level of hatred and revenge that still existed. He expressed his determination to do everything in his power to continue his efforts to protect all minorities in Kosovo.
The SRSG left Skopje in the early afternoon for Tirana where he was scheduled to meet this evening with the President, the Prime Minister and other high-level officials in Albania.
