UNMIK/PR/1467
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today addressed the Kosovo Academy of Arts and Sciences. The SRSG underlined the Academy’s important role, at this crucial moment in the history of Kosovo, in building a modern European society which is “democratic, multi-ethnic and tolerant, with a place to be earned in Europe.”
The SRSG stressed that the during the status process it is important that Kosovo continues implementation of the Standards that are fundamental in building sustainable democratic institutions that will continue to underpin the future. “Standards are the roadmap to Europe and provide the framework which will continue to take Kosovo through status and beyond to Europe,” he said.
The SRSG acknowledged that the view of the majority of the people in Kosovo must form the basis for any sustainable status settlement, but the settlement must be one that takes into account the views of minorities. “What the majority wants for itself – peace, stability and economic prosperity – it must want also for the minorities,” the SRSG said.
The SRSG noted that the engagement of the Kosovo Serbs in the status process has been ambivalent, and stressed that is particularly important that their voice, as the largest minority in Kosovo, is heard. “From the Kosovo Serb perspective it is important that their views on practical issues affecting their lives here are made clear and that these concerns are listened to and acted upon by the majority”, said the SRSG.