UNMIK/PR/939
PRISTINA - The newly-formed Civil Protection Development Group (CPDG) convened for its inaugural meeting today. The Group is tasked with the further development of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) within its mandate.
The CPDG is co-chaired by SRSG Michael Steiner and COMKFOR Lieutenant General Fabio Mini. Its members include several high-level representatives of the international community including some heads of liaison offices in Kosovo and the UNMIK KPC Coordinator Major General Andrew Cumming. KPC Commander Lieutenant General Agim Çeku and his deputy Major General Sylejman Selimi represent the KPC in the Group.
During the meeting today a number of important issues concerning KPC’s further development were discussed between the KPC Commander and the representatives of the international community in the Group.
Among the issues discussed were developing tasks for the KPC within the mandate and de-mining activities that the KPC is carrying out in order to rid Kosovo of a clear and present danger to life and health of its citizens.
The CPDG has been created in order to engage the international community and the KPC, as partners, in the development of the KPC within the current mandate.
The purpose of the group is:
- To discuss high level issues.
- To engage in strategic planning with the KPC with reference to Civil Protection issues.
- To enable the KPC Commander to introduce and develop KPC issues.
- To develop the leadership and management capabilities of the KPC.
- To engage the international community and other emergency planners in civil protection issues. IOM and emergency planners can be requested to attend the group’s meeting by its members.
The intention is to hold a meeting of the CPDG regularly. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of May.