UNMIK/PR/1634
PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Joachim Rücker met French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy today in Paris. Among the issues discussed were the recent meeting of the Contact Group with the UN Special Envoy Mr. Ahtisaari in Vienna, the role of UNMIK in the run up to status resolution and preparation underway for transition of responsibilities from UNMIK to the future international and local institutions. The situation in the northern part of Kosovo was also discussed.
Mr. Rücker briefed Minister Douste-Blazy on developments in Kosovo and thanked him for France’s contribution to KFOR and UNMIK. Mr. Douste-Blazy underlined the need for UNMIK to continue to have a crucial role in Kosovo until the resolution of status.
The SRSG noted the historic importance of the presentation of the status proposal by Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari later this week and the raised public expectations in Kosovo in anticipation of this. “Expectation management is a key concern for UNMIK at this time and we are working closely with the Unity Team and the international community to address this, while maintaining focus on the work ahead for Kosovo,” he said.
Mr. Rücker stressed the necessity to keep the momentum of the status process and said that it is important that the status proposal is brought to the UN Security Council at the earliest.
The SRSG provided an update on the transition planning process, with special emphasis on future arrangements in the fields of justice and police. “Good progress has been made with the PISG and the international community in preparing for transition from UNMIK to successor organisations. In the meantime, UNMIK will continue to discharge its responsibilties up to the Resolution day and after, until the handover is completed,” he said.
