UNMIK/PR/1452
PRISTINA – “Status has to go with Standards, and more concrete progress is needed in the implementation of the Standards,” said Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, the Special Envoy for the future status process for Kosovo, at the end of his first regional visit since his appointment on November 14th.
During the visit from November 21st to 27th, which took him and his Deputy Mr. Albert Rohan to Pristina, Belgrade, Podgorica, Tirana and Skopje, the Special Envoy conveyed the message that more progress needs to be made in the areas of decentralisation, returns and freedom of movement.
The Special Envoy underscored that in order to achieve the above, Belgrade has to encourage the Kosovo Serbs to participate in the process of future status talks and the Kosovo institutions so that their interest can be protected.
Throughout the trip, the Special Envoy emphasised the importance of the Guiding Principles of the Contact Group. “I advise everyone to read it carefully because it provides the necessary framework for the process,” he said.
The Special Envoy reiterated that there is no timeframe or deadline for his mission. “I will work as expeditiously as I can and I don’t want to prolong the process one day more than necessary,” said Mr. Ahtisaari.
The Special Envoy and his team have returned to Vienna where the office will be based. He will travel to other capitals for further consultations before he pays another visit to the region early next year.