UNMIK/PR/712
Pristina – SRSG Michael Steiner spent the Easter weekend visiting Kosovo’s various regions in an effort to become better acquainted with the people, culture and issues affecting the lives of Kosovars.
On Saturday, SRSG Michael Steiner went to the historic town of Prizren, considered the jewel of Kosovo’s Ottoman heritage. On Sunday he traveled to the Gjilane region, one of Kosovo’s more ethnically diverse areas.
In Prizren, SRSG Michael Steiner took a two-hour walking tour of the historical “old town” where he visited the central Mosque as well as the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He met with religious leaders of all faiths as well as political leaders of the Serbian, Albanian and Turkish ethnic communities. SRSG Michael Steiner also had the chance to speak with UNMIK regional representatives and the KFOR commander for Kosovo’s southern region.
On Sunday in Gjilane, SRSG Michael Steiner visited the Roma quarter, a newly renovated hospital, a multi-ethnic school, a Croatian minority village, the regional police headquarters and met with UNMIK representatives and local political leaders. He also visited Gjilane’s catholic church where the choir performed part of Handel’s “Messiah”.
SRSG Michael Steiner listened to the concerns of the people and reiterated the need to concentrate on what he believes are the three priorities for Kosovo: creating jobs; establishing security through the rule of law and building institutions that work for all of Kosovo’s people. SRSG Michael Steiner said he was encouraged by the dynamism and energy of Kosovo’s people.
