UNMIK/PR/1558
PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today visited Istog/k Municipality. He met the Municipal Assembly President Fadil Ferati, CEO Haki Rugova, local CCK returns co-ordinator Rados Vulic, Municipal Assembly Members and staff, as well as implementing partners of the return projects including UNHCR and NGOs ‘European Perspective’, ‘Technische Hilfswerk’ and ‘Danish Refugee Council’. The SRSG later visited return sites in the village of Lug/Ljug, where he met Kosovo Serb returnees of Lug/Ljug and Bllagaqë/Blagaca.
At a press point in Lug/Llugë, the SRSG noted with concern the lack of sufficient donor support for returns. “What I find deeply regrettable, is that we cannot find the resources so that the return becomes sustainable, so that the people of Istog/k, the Albanians as well, feel that they are benefiting from Standards implementation,” he said, “If we don’t even get enough resources from donors to help 200 returnees, what will happen if after status tens of thousands start coming back.”
The SRSG said that he would get personally engaged in mobilising support from donors for the returns process. “Let us not fail because of lack of financial support,” he said.
Earlier, in his meeting with municipal authorities the SRSG appreciated their support for the return of displaced persons and noted that all round progress had been made in the municipality. “Istog/k ranks as one of the four best municipalities on Standards implementation, but we have to continue to do better,” he said, and added: “The example being set here could be and should be the example we are all working on.”
The SRSG stressed that no society can move forward if it is divided. “We need a society where there is coexistence, a society that is well integrated,” he said. He expressed satisfaction at the encouraging pace of returns in Istog/k where 66 displaced persons have returned so far this year. He said, “I want to encourage the Kosovo Serbs who have come back, to move around, trust your neighbours and encourage your friends to come back.”