UNMIK/PR/1358
SRSG addresses University students and youth groups
PRISTINA - this morning SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen delivered the following speech to the University students and youth groups:
“Thank you for being here with me today. For a long time I wanted to meet with you to share my thoughts on where we are now and where we are headed. Pristina University has long played a prominent role in Kosovo’s society and political life and will certainly play an even more important role in the future. You, and your predecessors’, civil and political engagement has put this academic institution front and centre during crucial moments in Kosovo’s history and has helped shape Kosovo’s future.
Today, we are living through yet another crucial moment in Kosovo’s history. The process that will give certainty and clarity to Kosovo’s status is underway. The implementation of Standards is moving forward, and progress will be assessed later this summer. I hope that talks to determine Kosovo’s future status will start later this year. It is because of the challenges ahead of us that I am here today. You – the future leaders of Kosovo – have a special responsibility in facing, and facing up, to these challenges.
Where we are today
Barely a year ago, the Standards for Kosovo looked like an unclimeable mountain of impossible demands. Today, I am delighted to report that – over the last 9 months – there has been significant progress in the implementation of all 8 Standards. This is all the more remarkable because it has been achieved against a backdrop of difficult political events that would have challenged the strongest societies and institutions.
The resignation of former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj could have jeopardised much of the progress that was made during his premiership.
It is greatly to the credit of Ramush Haradinaj – and to the credit of the people and institutions that, despite palpable distress – it did not. The mature and dignified response of the people and the stoic determination to continue the work that he progressed set a high standard for this region. It was also enormously encouraging to see the interim and new Governments pick up this work so quickly and with such determination. The installation of the new Government within 3 weeks and in accordance with Constitutional Framework was well done.
These are significant achievements in the first Standard – functioning democratic institutions. But there has been progress in the other Standards too. You might not always have seen it – but it is there. Do you know, for instance, that: 27 of the 32 police stations in Kosovo have transitioned to Kosovan control? The first police region – Gjilane – transitioned on 24 March. About 2/3 of Municipalities are compliant or partially compliant with the requirement to use all official languages on their signs – so that people from all communities can find their way around.
Do you know that displaced people are starting to come back to their homes in Kosovo, still in small numbers but the trend is clear? That almost all Municipalities have local development plans to target spending and development efforts where they are most needed? That the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will soon start operations in Kosovo bringing much needed external funding here? And do you know that international adjudicators have almost completed their caseload of decisions on illegally occupied properties?
These are achievements to be proud of – and for Kosovo to build on. There are also, of course, challenges that remain, particularly: enforcing property rights, fully integrating minorities – including in the economy and in all institutions, bolstering the very fragile perceptions of better security that have led to greater freedom of movement and a better climate for sustainable returns.
All of this demands constant efforts. It demands more reaching out – to all communities and to all peoples. And there is more work to be done in strengthening the institutions so that they can better deliver the services that people need. But there are clear signs that this is understood. And also of growing awareness and acceptance that standards are not just responsibilities but also rights, that sustainable institutions, good governance and the promotion and protections of minorities are good for everyone and finally that priority Standards goals might be the key determinant of the timing of Kosovo’s future status discussions. But standards are also the foundations for getting closer to European levels of prosperity and good governance, and for Kosovo’s long-term economic and social development.
So it is good policy and an altogether good idea to continue implementing them as well and as fast as we can.
Let me also say a few words about the political process in the coming months, which is what the Security Council will hear when it meets to discuss Kosovo on the 27th of this month. Representatives of the PISG will be present in the Security Council for the first time as we report on the progress made in implementing Standards. And it is precisely progress on Standards that will be everyone’s focus. In part, the International Community will want to know about Standards implementation on the technical level. But they will also expect answers to the bigger Standards questions: To what extent is Kosovo an open and tolerant society? Can people from all communities travel around Kosovo without fearing for their safety and security? Are refugees and IDPs welcome to return to their homes? How well do the democratic institutions function? How well will all of these things work when UNMIK and KFOR have gone, and the people and institutions of Kosovo face these challenges – and new ones – for themselves?
The answers to these and many other questions will be the basis on which the members of the Security Council will decide whether the conditions are right for the Secretary General to ask an international representative to conduct a Comprehensive Review in Kosovo.
The Review will therefore not only be looking at progress already made. More important will be the sustainability of that progress. The Review will consider whether the circumstances show that Kosovo will continue on the right track. Whether good progress can be maintained under any circumstances. If the conclusions of the Review are positive then talks to determine Kosovo’s future status could begin later this year.
Dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is a necessary confidence building measure to prepare for a sustainable, long-term solution for Kosovo and the region. Prime Minister Kosumi has indicated that he is willing to talk to the leaders in Belgrade. I know that President Rugova will do the same at his level.
There has already been movement on technical dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. The Working Groups on Missing Persons and the one on Energy met recently and will meet again shortly. The Working Group on Returns will meet next week. However, while this technical dialogue is very important, it can only be a compliment to the political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.
It is critical that the leaders of Kosovo come together to agree on a common way forward. At this crucial moment Kosovo, needs unity. Unity of purpose. Unity of effort. Unity of determination. To address this situation, I have proposed to Kosovo’s leaders that they come together in a political forum, where they can address issues that go beyond party politics – as a support to, and not as a substitute for, existing democratic institutions. I have proposed some different options on how to proceed. It is now up to the leaders to decide how they want to use this forum to deal with issues such as Standards, decentralisation and status talks. Kosovo’s future status is too important to leave anyone out or to let particular party interests prevail.
Political Development
The Comprehensive Review or the beginning of status talks does not mean an end to reforming Kosovo’s institutions and improving public and individual lives. Reform will continue throughout these processes and decisions. And as Kosovo moves closer to the European family, yet more reforms will be needed to make that participation a success.
Later this year, the Kosovo Standards will be folded into the Kosovo Action Plan for European Partnership. This will be done to give Kosovo a roadmap with a clear European perspective. There is no doubt that for Kosovo, irrespective of its future status, the final destination is within the European family.
Well-functioning democratic institutions and good governance are major landmarks on this journey. For Kosovo this means that the ministries and municipalities conduct their business in an impartial, transparent and accountable way.
It means that the Government delivers on its promises to the people in a responsible and efficient manner.
It means that the Opposition acts constructively as a check on the Government and holds it to account.
It means that the Assembly – arguably the most important democratic institution in Kosovo – conducts its work in an inclusive and professional manner in strict accordance with its rules of procedure. Good governance should prevail in all public institutions in Kosovo.
Respect for multi-ethnicity is another core value of the European family that Kosovo must fully embrace. For multi-ethnicity to be sustainable, there needs to be structures in place and the political and individual will to ensure that minority communities – who are vulnerable precisely because of being in the minority – can participate fully in the economic, political, economic and social spheres of society. Throughout Europe, majority communities have a particular obligation to care about the interests of minorities. In Kosovo, the majority community can and must do much more to reach out to its minorities. The institutions and society at large must be more welcoming to these groups.
Economic Development
Prosperity is another defining European feature. We all know that there are many challenges to improving the economic situation in Kosovo. Employment is of course of particular concern to you since you will soon find yourself on the job market. Employment and prosperity comes with foreign investment and more efficient domestic investment creates jobs and raise income levels. Achieving the standards is a necessary first step to improve Kosovo’s economy since it will create the type of conditions attractive for foreign investors. For this to happen in Kosovo, it is essential that property rights are enforced and illegal occupation ends – no investor will invest money where there is uncertainty about who owns what.
The privatisation of socially owned enterprises is another bridge to cross on this roadmap. Privatisation is a difficult process everywhere but especially so in Kosovo where ownership of property rights are disputed. Despite this, UNMIK has been able to increase the pace of privatisation. The fourth wave was recently signed; the fifth wave will be launched this month; the sixth wave is being prepared. KTA aims to privatise 90 percent of the value of SOEs under its jurisdiction within 12 months.
These are some of the most important landmarks for Kosovo on its journey towards the European family. It will be largely up to your generation to take forward work in hand now and make sure that it keeps moving forward.
Violence
In following this roadmap, it is absolutely crucial that politics remain dignified and responsible. You, as Kosovo’s future leaders, have a particular obligation to ensure that the way forward is based on respect for democracy. Violence is a set back for Kosovo. Everyone will loose, if there is violence.
Much of Kosovo’s recent history is a sad one – a history of pain and suffering. All communities have been afflicted in one way or another. I do not pretend to understand this suffering. But I do recognise it from other places – other times. And I do know that it is possible to move on. It is possible to make the future better than the past. I have seen other peoples do it, and I am seeing clear signs of it here in Kosovo.
To conclude, I urge you to direct your engagement towards building a better society for all – a democratic multiethnic and generous Kosovo. Here, you have the privilege to be able to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to lead Kosovo to a better future. It is now up to you to seize the opportunities that are out there. I count on you to do so”.