UNMIK/PR/1684
PRISTINA - Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Joachim Rücker told returnees that they make Kosovo a better place in remarks today at a signing ceremony to initiate a new project to return internally-displaced persons (IDPs) to Lismir/Dobri Dub and Nakaradë/e in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje municipality.
Also in attendance were Minister for Communities and Returns Branislav Grbic, Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje Municipal Assembly President Skender Zogaj, Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kosovo Maurice Dewulf, Head of Greek Liaison Office in Pristina Nikolaos Kanelos, Director of the European Perspective Fotis Vlachos, and a delegation of returning IDPs.
“This is the fifth returns project begun this year in Kosovo,” the SRSG said. The Government had earlier launched returns projects in Lipjan/Lipljan, Abdullah Presheva in Gjilan/Gnjilane, Vushtri/Vucitrn and Berkovo in Klinë/Klina.
“It is important to talk and to mentally prepare for reconciliation and multiethnic society, but even more important than words are deeds,” Mr. Rücker said.
The returns project to Lismir/Dobri Dub and Nakaradë/e will facilitate the return of 30 IDP families while an additional four houses will be constructed for members of the receiving community. The total project value of €850,000 is financed by the Ministry for Communities and Returns and organized by the UNDP SPARK program. The NGO European Perspective together with the Municipality of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje will implement the project.
“My congratulations to all those who were involved, in particular to the president of the municipality, Skender Zogaj, in implementing, not only the standards in an exemplary way, but also for being a true believer in a multiethnic Kosovo,” he said. “But I would like to express particular gratitude towards returnees who will make Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje an even better place. We need you here, we want you here. You are welcome in this society.”
