UNMIK/PR/1237
“I welcome the fact that Serbian President Boris Tadic has encouraged Kosovo Serbs to participate in the 23 October elections to the Kosovo Assembly.
“I appeal to the Kosovo Serb community, together with all of Kosovo’s communities, to take part in the 23 October elections. There is no substitute for direct participation in democratic institutions, which make decisions affecting the lives of everyone in Kosovo. In this context, I emphasize the need for the Serbian Government to actively facilitate the practical requirements to ensure that displaced Serbs are able to cast their ballots.
“I would like to underscore that participation by Kosovo Serbs paves the way for their representation in local institutions and will enable a constructive dialogue to address their concerns and for that matter the concerns of all communities at both the central and local levels. This is particularly relevant in the vitally important area of decentralization, where Kosovo Serb participation in the Kosovo Security Advisory Group and the Working Group on Local Government ensure that their views are effectively taken into account.
“I would like to emphasize the responsibility of the majority community to reach out to the more vulnerable communities in Kosovo. At the same time, I appreciate the understanding and flexibility shown by the Provisional Institutions and Kosovo Albanian political leaders in their call on Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections and democratic processes.
“UNMIK is strongly committed to work hard with all forward-looking leaders in Pristina and also in Belgrade to realise their ambitions to be part of a European future that brings permanent security and long-term prosperity to the entire region and all its citizens.”