UNMIK/PR/1497
PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today briefed the EU Political and Security Council in Brussels on current developments in Kosovo and informal planning for future arrangements. He also met NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.
The SRSG updated the EU Political and Security Council, as well as Mr. Scheffer and Dr. Solana, on recent developments in Kosovo in the context of the start of status talks and the renewed focus of the PISG on implementation of Standards, particularly those addressing minority concerns. He also discussed with the leaders the progress made in informal consultations with international partners on future arrangements in Kosovo after determination of its status.
“I had a fruitful exchange with the EU and NATO leadership in Brussels today,” the SRSG said, “Alongside the determination of the international community to bring the status process to an early conclusion, there is now a growing commitment of the EU in the Working Groups for future arrangements in Kosovo. The international community recognises that irrespective of the outcome of the status talks, there will be a need for continued international presence in Kosovo to support its development and security needs.”
“The momentum of progress achieved during the UN Mission in Kosovo must be maintained and strengthened. I have conveyed to Brussels that it needs to step up its engagement in Kosovo, now and in the future, and my impression is that this message has been fully understood,” added the SRSG.
The SRSG will be briefing the PISG and the Kosovo Negotiating Team on today’s meetings when he arrives back in Pristina on Wednesday, and will also brief the Serbian authorities when he travels to Belgrade next month.
