UNMIK/PR/1286
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today met together with all six Municipal Assembly Presidents from Mitrovica region, resuming a dialogue he began with local leaders in August focused on the common concerns of all communities.
“We have an opportunity now to address issues of direct concern to the minorities, because these are the priorities in the Standards, while at the same time we have an opportunity for moving Kosovo forward toward status talks. That opportunity is in fact an opportunity for all communities,” the SRSG said. “Let us now work together to seize these opportunities.”
Among the leaders of the six municipalities in the region, Mitrovica, Zvecan, Skenderaj/Srbica, Leposavic, Vushtrri/Vucitrn and Zubin Potok, several issues were raised that affect all ethnic groups.
Unemployment and the economy were among the most frequently raised subjects, in the region with the highest jobless rate in Kosovo. One of the issues mentioned was reactivating the Trepca mining and metals complex, which would provide a major boost to the region’s economy. The SRSG said he looked forward to Trepca’s reopening and said moving forward on this very important project has the potential to quickly employ 2,000 people.
Investment was also linked to improving ethnic relations, and as one of the participants noted, projects to improve infrastructure have not only created better living conditions, but have also revived inter-community contacts. The SRSG agreed, saying, “In my experience, it is through economic projects that you bring people together. The economy can be the most important source of dialogue and reconciliation.”
The need to move forward on decentralisation was also mentioned by several of the mayors, who agreed that this is an issue of interest to all communities. On the one hand, local government reform offers better public services and more accountable governing institutions, while at the same time decentralisation can also help push the returns process in the right direction, the leaders said.
The SRSG gave strong support to the issue of returns, noting that it cannot be conditioned by other factors. “Returns must be treated purely as a humanitarian issue. People who are displaced must be allowed to return in safety and dignity,” he said. He also said that UNMIK will act to reward progress by municipalities in the area of returns, while those who obstruct the process or fail to live up to their obligations will face penalties and sanctions.