UNMIK/PR/1441
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen this afternoon met Kosovo Serb representatives at UNMIK headquarters. SLKM representatives Goran Bogdanovic, Randjel Nojkic, Dragisa Krstovic, Snezana Milic, Vesna Jovanovic and Sladjan Ilic attended the meeting.
The SRSG briefed them on the latest developments, including his recent meetings with Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for status talks. The SRSG told the SLKM representatives that Mr Ahtisaari will be coming to the region next week to talk to key actors and initiate the process.
The SRSG also outlined to the SLKM representatives the role which UNMIK will be playing in the coming months. UNMIK will support the Special Envoy as appropriate; promote dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and within Kosovo; and continue to support the PISG in achieving further progress in Standards implementation, particularly in those areas that relate to the minorities and comprehensive reform of local government.
With regard to dialogue, the SRSG noted that it should take place at three levels: political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, following on from the ministerial-level meetings in Vienna [on local government reform] and Belgrade [on Culture]; at the level of the working groups; and at the level of practical co-operation on issues such as health, education and energy.
The SRSG underlined the importance of the Kosovo Serbs participating fully in the status process, and expressed his hope that Belgrade will not only engage constructively in the process but also encourage the participation of the Kosovo Serbs. He hoped too that now the opportunity for engagement would not be missed. “We know that progress in most areas that are of direct interest to you can only be made if Belgrade and you are involved. I reiterate my call on Belgrade to engage constructively and to allow the Kosovo Serbs the opportunity to frame their own future”, said the SRSG.
The SLKM representatives for their part welcomed the appointment of Mr Ahtisaari as the Special Envoy, and the focus on continued Standards implementation during the status process. They agreed on the need for Kosovo Serbs to be fully engaged in the process.