UNMIK/PR/1605
PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Joachim Rücker this evening had a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Agim Çeku and COMKFOR Lt.-Gen. Roland Kather. Discussions focused on the latest developments in the status process and the priorities that confront the Kosovo leadership, UNMIK and KFOR in the run up to a determination of Kosovo’s status.
The SRSG stressed that there are many compelling reasons to come to clarity on Kosovo’s status as soon as possible. “It is, therefore, important not to lose the momentum and to keep the status process on track. To this end, UNMIK welcomes the continued commitment of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and members of the Contact Group to seeing an early conclusion of the status process,” he said.
The SRSG briefed his interlocutors on his meetings with several Kosovo political leaders over the weekend where he underlined that it is imperative that all stakeholders in Kosovo remain committed to the process and continue to support the work of the Special Envoy through to its conclusion. “The Special Envoy has brought the status process a long way forward this year, and the constructive engagement and the unity of the Kosovo Negotiating Team have substantially contributed to this end. Kosovo’s engagement in the process must continue in the same spirit,” said the SRSG.
He added: “It is paramount that all Kosovo leaders continue to fully subscribe to the Guiding Principles set out by the Contact Group in November 2005. Any statements that allude to Kosovo taking unilateral actions are in contradiction to the Contact Group’s Guiding Principles. Such statements can undermine support for Kosovo at this crucial time.”
“It is important that Kosovo leaders continue to reach out to the minority communities and work to promote reconciliation and dialogue. All communities should exercise restraint and show understanding at this sensitive stage of the status process,” the SRSG said.