UNMIK/PR/1223
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi appealed today to all citizens to move Kosovo forward. Mr. Jessen-Petersen and Mr. Rexhepi visited together the region of Peja/Pec.
After meeting UNMIK officials, they received representatives of the civil society. The members of NGO’s, businesses and the local branch of university briefed the delegation on issues of violence against women and children, environment and the business community in Kosovo.
Then the SRSG and the prime minister proceeded to the Peja/Pec “Wood Combine”, where they were informed about the process of privatisation that has been successfully concluded in the combine. The SRSG wished the managers of the newly privatised enterprise good luck in their work and said he appreciated the example they are setting.
Last point of the visit was the village Bellopojë/Belo Polje nearby Peja/Pec that was heavily affected by the March riots. The SRSG and the prime minister met the Kosovo Serb inhabitants of the village and were briefed on the reconstruction of the 24 damaged houses, which is going to be concluded in the coming days.
In his statement to the press, Jessen-Petersen said that his visits through the five regions of Kosovo were marked by contrasts. “I am taking my hopes from the positive examples I have seen”, he said, “There are many people from the majority community, but also from the minorities, who are determined to move Kosovo forward. We should take their example.”
The prime minister stressed the importance of freedom of movement for everybody in Kosovo. “UNMIK, KFOR, CIVPOL, KPS and the local institutions have to make a common effort to create freedom of movement for everyone. The community members will also have to help us to build trust”, he said.