Mr. President, Excellencies,
I am pleased to update the Council on recent key developments in Kosovo since the Secretary-General’s last report and to offer some observations.
The situation in Kosovo over the past three months has been more stable than during previous reporting periods. Nonetheless, the threat of security and political tensions remained beneath the surface.
Following a period of relative calm after months of confrontations in the Kosovo Assembly, a single issue emerged as the focus of renewed controversy: the ratification of the agreement on Kosovo’s territorial delineation with the Republic of Montenegro.
Political arguments and accusations followed, often straying far from the underlying facts. This inflamed public sentiment, obstructed the functioning of the Assembly, and delayed attention to more pressing issues.
Although the agreement had been reached with informed international support, consideration of its ratification by the Assembly was postponed.
There is little doubt that consensus-building efforts should have taken place much earlier, before the issue became a source of political division and rancorous debate.
Nevertheless, new efforts have been undertaken by political leaders to ensure that any remaining questions are addressed.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have continued to seek opportunities to generate, exploit, and, if possible, prolong such moments of political crisis.
Whatever success they may achieve in strengthening an alternative pole of influence, the opposition appears increasingly aware that the use of violence is counterproductive to that objective.
In addition, acts of political violence—including three incidents during the month of August involving explosives that targeted the Assembly, the home of a Kosovo official, and the headquarters of a public broadcaster—are absolutely unacceptable.
They remain a serious concern that should continue to be managed responsibly by the authorities.
From my recent discussions with senior leaders in Kosovo, I have gained the impression that they understand the need to place realism and practicality higher on their political agenda.
Many are also closely observing broader regional developments and the opportunities they may offer to remove longstanding obstacles and accelerate progress.
Mr. President,
I have received a similar impression from local leadership during my visits to municipalities and communities throughout Kosovo.
In Gjakovë/Đakovica, the Mayor emphasized that authority carries responsibility, not merely privilege.
In North Mitrovica, the principal concerns focused on access to employment, reliable public services, and confidence in governing institutions.
In Obiliq/Obilić, the effects of outdated nearby energy facilities—over which the municipality has had little influence—continue to endanger public health and safety while undermining social cohesion and economic growth.
In Vushtrri/Vučitrn, I learned that different communities are capable of working together toward a common future and that inclusive governance is among the key elements required to support that effort.
I repeatedly heard a desire for improved relations and greater confidence between ethnic communities.
Underlying all of these discussions was the reality that economic, educational, and healthcare issues, along with the rule of law and the fight against corruption, are the dominant concerns of people at the local level, often more so than inter-ethnic politics.
Recently, a young man in the Prizren region approached me and said that corruption is the greatest problem facing his generation and all the people of Kosovo. This is a message I have heard on many occasions.
Throughout the former Yugoslavia, the immediate post-conflict generation has now reached voting age, and many are completing higher education.
Many young adults have known little public life beyond divisive post-conflict rhetoric.
If stability and prosperity are to be achieved, this generation requires clearer direction and better opportunities as citizens of modern Europe and of the wider world.
A lack of meaningful employment opportunities, public corruption, and extreme economic inequality often divide communities more deeply than ethnic or religious nationalism.
An impetus for reconciliation is therefore emerging from below, but in my view it must also be reinforced from above by political leadership.
I have already heard this message from some leaders. I have also heard it from many segments of society where individuals recognize the importance of moving beyond the past if meaningful progress is to occur.
Returning from Belgrade yesterday, I was struck by the emphasis placed by senior leaders on regional cooperation and on developing a better understanding of differing perspectives in order to overcome obstacles to trust and progress.
As in Pristina, they stressed the importance of the success of the EU-led Dialogue.
Prime Minister Vučić, in particular, emphasized that too much time has already been lost and that what is needed is more serious and sustained engagement in the Dialogue—not only from political leaders and negotiators, but also from the European Union and the broader international community.
Mr. President,
The EU-led High-Level Dialogue remains a cornerstone on the road toward reconciliation.
The European perspective continues to serve as one of the main drivers of reform in the region, particularly in the vital areas of governance, rule of law, and human rights.
During this reporting period, progress continued in some areas, including the beginning of refurbishment work on the Mitrovica Main Bridge and the narrowing of differences regarding telecommunications.
With regard to other agreements, particularly the Community/Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, more focused work is clearly needed.
It is natural that delays in implementation can lead observers and participants alike to question the process itself.
Leadership from both sides remains just as important as pragmatism and commitment—not only to reinvigorate the process but also to deepen it in the future.
Mr. President,
Fewer members of non-majority communities displaced by the conflict have returned to their homes, and among those who have returned, many have not remained.
Approximately 16,000 people remain displaced within Kosovo, while many more remain displaced outside it.
With the passage of time, many have established new lives in their places of displacement.
Nonetheless, the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons is a fundamental right, and I believe this issue should once again become a focus for all concerned, including the international community.
Achieving sustainable returns requires constructive engagement with both returnees and receiving communities, supported by political commitment and, equally importantly, adequate resources.
According to UNHCR, approximately 9,400 displaced persons remain registered for return.
For these returns to take place, realistic commitments must be demonstrated through the allocation of resources and the creation of appropriate conditions.
Kosovo possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage, including religious, linguistic, artistic, and social diversity.
The legal framework in Kosovo includes comprehensive protections for freedom of language, association, and worship.
The key challenge remains the effective implementation and enforcement of these legislative protections.
During the past three months, there were no large-scale inter-ethnic disturbances and no significant attacks against cultural sites.
However, vulnerable groups, particularly within non-majority communities, continue to face higher levels of intimidation.
Statistics in this field should always be treated with caution, but UNMIK data suggests that approximately twenty-five potentially ethnically motivated crimes are recorded each month in Kosovo.
All communities are affected, and in many cases investigations show that the motives behind crimes are not political.
Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that victims of intimidation perceive these incidents differently from those who have not experienced them.
Authorities on all sides, as well as the international community, must remain sensitive to this reality.
With regard to reconciliation, I wish to commend the courageous initiatives undertaken by President Thaçi.
On 21 July, he visited and paid respects at the memorial commemorating fourteen Kosovo Serb civilians from Staro Gradsko who were murdered shortly after the end of hostilities.
A few days later, he visited another memorial connected to the unresolved killing of Kosovo Serb teenagers in Gorazhdevac in 2003.
These visits remind us that all leaders share a solemn responsibility to do more to resolve the cases of persons still missing from the conflict.
Seventeen years after the end of the conflict, the fate of more than 1,600 individuals remains unknown.
All communities continue to suffer from this loss.
The issue of missing persons must remain on the political agenda.
The missing will only be found and their fates determined through sustained commitment by all concerned, including our Mission.
Mr. President,
The phenomenon of violent extremism represents a rapidly evolving global challenge.
The presence of radical Islamist elements and organizers in Kosovo is known.
Local authorities have taken a number of robust measures to mitigate the threat, but the presence of individuals who have participated in foreign conflicts requires continued vigilance.
Kosovo authorities have implemented a strong law-enforcement approach toward those who advocate violence and facilitate the recruitment of foreign fighters.
As the authorities themselves have acknowledged, however, such measures can only succeed when paired with a developmental approach that addresses the socio-economic factors contributing to extremism.
The international community also has an important role to play through well-coordinated assistance, including support from the United Nations.
Mr. President,
In recent days, we have significantly strengthened constructive engagement with Kosovo’s leadership, reflected in substantive meetings with President Thaçi, Prime Minister Mustafa, and Foreign Minister Hoxhaj.
My constructive engagement with leaders in Belgrade, including discussions this week with President Nikolić, Prime Minister Vučić, and First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dačić, remains essential to maintaining our balanced and objective role within the framework of regional cooperation and the full implementation of our mandate.
In closing, I would like to highlight that during the past months we have conducted a thorough review of the Mission’s activities and developed a focused vision aimed at recalibrating and optimizing our work while creating an environment that enables more effective engagement with all stakeholders.
This includes addressing both existing and emerging challenges, such as violent extremism and the development of practical frameworks for reconciliation.
In short, we will continue implementing the objectives entrusted to us in a more modern, efficient, and responsive manner.
Thank you for your continuing support to UNMIK.
