UNMIK/PR/703
Brussels—SRSG Michael Steiner today “lobbied for Kosovo” at the European Union’s General Affairs Council.
He stressed to the meeting of foreign ministers the importance of “sustainability” in assistance to Kosovo, at the same time expressing his gratitude for the generous and continuing support to Kosovo from the EU and European Commission.
“We must finish what we started,” he reiterated to media after the closed GAC session, “or a vacuum will be created to be filled with crime that could lead to instability in the region … We must eradicate crime and export stability. For that, Kosovo needs Europe to stay engaged.”
Improved security, in a broad sense, is crucial for Kosovo’s success, he told the foreign ministers. That means the rule of law to be bolstered, but also jobs must be created, he said, noting Kosovo’s high unemployment rate and high percentage of young people:
“We must put these young women and men to work. To do this we must attract investment, and to attract investment, we must privatize,” within the context of Security Council Resolution 1244, he said.
He also noted that multi-ethnicity is the “pass key to Europe” for Kosovo.
Earlier today, SRSG Michael Steiner met with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, who pledged NATO support for a ‘relentless attack’ on organized crime in cooperation with UNMIK, as well as a ‘strong and robust position appropriate to the sense of security” in Kosovo.
Lord Robertson also welcomed the announcement of a month-long KFOR/UNMIK Weapons Amnesty Program set to run from 15 March through 15 April, 2002.
Lord Robertson greeted the news from SRSG Michael Steiner on the establishment of the institutions of self-government and said that sustainability is crucial to finish the job NATO began in 1999.
The SRSG added at their joint press briefing that cooperation with KFOR was excellent and that he meets with COMKFOR General Valentin daily.
SRSG Michael Steiner travels to Berlin tomorrow, to Washington, D.C. Wednesday, then to London and Moscow on Thursday and Friday.
