UNMIK/PR/1440
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today hosted a meeting of the Team of Unity at his residence. Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi, Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci, PDK leader Hashim Thaçi, ORA leader Veton Surroi, and Team Co-ordinator Blerim Shala attended the meeting. COMKFOR Lieutenant-General Giuseppe Valotto was also present. Earlier in the day, the SRSG met the team leader, President Ibrahim Rugova, separately.
The SRSG briefed his guests on the developments since the last Security Council meeting on Kosovo held on 24th October, in particular his recent meeting with the Contact Group in Washington and his two meetings with Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, who will shortly be formally appointed as the UN Special Envoy for Status Talks.
In the light of the imminent start of status talks, the SRSG once again underscored the importance of the unity of the team and he strongly urged the members to get ready and be prepared. “Kosovo is now facing an opportunity it cannot afford to miss. The fate of Kosovo is in your hands and you should demonstrate with your actions that you are worthy of your aspirations and the trust of the people,” the SRSG said.
The SRSG reminded the team that it is of the utmost importance to continue with further implementation of Standards during the status discussions, especially in those areas that relate to the minorities. The SRSG reiterated his appeal to the team to reach out to all communities and to civil society. In this regard, the SRSG informed the team that he would also brief the representatives of the Kosovo Serbs and other minorities next week.
The political leaders then gave their account of their preparations for the status talks process and exchanged views on the current situation. They agreed that they would approach this process as a team.