UNMIK/PR/1173
PRISTINA – Today SRSG Harri Holkeri and PM Bajram Rexhepi officially opened the Liaison Office for Coordination of International Cooperation and Regional Dialogue in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The initiative to establish additional Offices within the Office of the Prime Minister goes back to an understanding between the Prime Minister and the SRSG in fall of last year. The aim is to enhance the cooperation between UNMIK and the Government, in a true spirit of partnership. UNMIK and the Prime Minister decided to start with the Office for Coordination of International Cooperation and Regional Dialogue.
The Office’s tasks and functions were developed in close cooperation with the Office of the Prime Minister. Its responsibilities are fully in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and with the Constitutional Framework. External Relations remain a reserved power for UNMIK.
At the opening, SRSG Harri Holkeri said: “Our political goal is to engage the Kosovo government in critical areas, where it has so far limited experience.” He called the inauguration “an important step forward”, concerning the capacity building in the PISG and concerning the relations between UNMIK and the PISG.
PM Rexhepi said he appreciated the willingness of the SRSG to move this issue forward, and also said that the new office “does not contradict the reserved competencies, but will create joint coordination in several areas where the responsibilities are reserved.”