UNMIK/PR/1707 - UNMIK Countdown #28
In autumn of 2005, when the political process to determine the future status of Kosovo commenced, UNMIK started to plan for its future transition to the Kosovo Institutions and successor international authorities. The transition planning initially involved mapping of UNMIK responsibilities, identifying successor authorities, assessing the timeline required for the transfer, and estimating budgetary needs required to enable UNMIK to hand over its functions.
The presentation of a Status Settlement Proposal by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari served as an important milestone in the transition planning process and the Plan soon became a guiding tool for substantive transition planning. The planning continues to be done on the basis of this Plan and has been widely endorsed, including by the Kosovo Assembly, UN Secretary-General, and the EU, and it provides mechanisms for the wide-range protection of minority communities in Kosovo.
With the appointment of Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Joachim Rücker in September 2006, the preparations for transition became UNMIK’s priority. A mission-wide Transition Planning and Implementation (TPI) team representing all UNMIK departments was set up and was chaired by the Strategy Coordinator. Externally, the work was being carried out in coordination with Kosovo’s Unity Team and with the international partners. A comprehensive system of working groups was set up covering all aspects of transition planning: elections, drafting of the constitution, security, rule of law, legislation, property and economy, governance and civil administration.
The working groups have prepared detailed transition action plans for each field, proposed amendments to existing legislation and drafted new laws. The groups also discussed a range of very practical matters such as future issuing of travel documents, transfer of archives, UNMIK premises and assets.
The multilateral transition and implementation planning has gone a long way since its launch and has achieved remarkable progress. Throughout the process, international partners together with the Kosovo Unity Team, Government, opposition and minority groups worked side by side to achieve the highest degree of readiness of all stakeholders to embrace new responsibilities and challenges. Capacity-building of the Kosovo institutions was always an integral part of transition planning.
Capacity-building and further transition planning will continue in order to be as prepared as possible and to help the PISG be highly prepared for the future transition. This work is preparatory and UNMIK will retain the powers vested in the UNSCR 1244 until the status is defined. Therefore, these efforts will not be complete until the Kosovo institutions have full authority to exercise their responsibilities.
