UNMIK/PR/755
Mitrovica – SRSG Michael Steiner spent the day in Mitrovica where he visited various institutions and met and talked with the city’s citizens. During his visit he also took the opportunity to highlight UNMIK’s commitment to law and order and to building Kosovo’s economy.
SRSG Michael Steiner began his visit at Gate 1, on the Kosovo-Serbia administrative boundary. There he emphasized UNMIK’s zero tolerance for crime and smuggling.
“Moving this gate is part of our policy of zero tolerance for crime, and about smuggling in particular,” said SRSG Michael Steiner. “I came here two weeks ago when the idea of moving it was first presented, and now it has been done.”
Several weeks ago SRSG Michael Steiner pushed Gate 1 back, so that it now abuts the Serbian boundary. Previously, Gate 1 had been separated from the boundary by several hundred meters, creating a no man’s land in which smugglers operated.
SRSG Michael Steiner drew reporters’ attention to a local shop that had previously operated without a license in the no man’s zone between the Serbian boundary and Gate 1, but has since applied for a license to operate legally.
After inspecting the new position of Gate 1, SRSG Michael Steiner proceeded to Zvecan, where he participated in the opening of the second branch of the American Bank of Kosovo. The American Bank opened its first branch last November in Pristina. It is planning to open 15 more branches across Kosovo. The American Bank, funded by USAID, will be able to make business loans to small and medium sized enterprises. SRSG Michael Steiner spoke of the important role of local banks in stimulating Kosovo’s economy.
“This bank will enable people in Mitrovica and all across Kosovo to apply for loans to grow their businesses,” said SRSG Michael Steiner. “Entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses are vital to stimulating Kosovo’s economy and to attracting larger investments and creating employment. Economic development is just as important in the north of Kosovo as anywhere else.”
SRSG Michael Steiner then opened a bank account for himself.
After his bank visit, SRSG Michael Steiner joined Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi and his wife and family at their home in Suvi Do for coffee. Several neighbours waited outside the Rexhepi family house to greet the SRSG with flowers.
SRSG Michael Steiner then went to the Mitrovica Court where he spoke with local and international court employees. “This is the only legitimate court for all of Mitrovica,” said SRSG Michael Steiner. “UNMIK is here to build and reinforce legitimate institutions such as this one.”
SRSG Michael Steiner concluded his court visit with a call for more Serbian judges to join international and Albanian judges who are working in the Kosovo judicial system.
Following his visit to the Mitrovica Court, SRSG Michael Steiner made a brief stop at the Mitrovica Detention Center. He then walked through North Mitrovica on a foot patrol with two German UNMIK policemen and without his entourage. While on the foot patrol he talked with many citizens who stopped to welcome him, and paused to drink a coffee at the invitation of a café owner.
SRSG Michael Steiner then proceeded to the Mitrovica Bridge where he crossed on foot, accompanied by journalists and citizens. As he was running two hours over schedule, SRSG Michael Steiner concluded his Mitrovica visit at the river’s edge on the south side of the bridge.
