UNMIK/PR/1557
PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today welcomed the promulgation of updated return policies and procedures by the Kosovo Government. He also expressed satisfaction at the agreement of Pristina and Belgrade to cooperate more closely in the return of displaced persons to Kosovo.
The SRSG said, “These initiatives bode well for furthering the process of returns, which is a keystone of a multi-ethnic Kosovo that everyone wants. The new returns policy shows the commitment and seriousness of the Government of Kosovo towards ensuring return of more and more displaced persons and allowing them to make a free and informed choice about the return options available to each individual.”
“I am sure that this will go a long way in convincing members of the minority community that their future is secure in a democratic Kosovo, bound by international conventions on human rights and the protection of minorities,” he added.
The return policies and procedures have been updated by the Kosovo Government following eight months of consultation involving experts from the government, political parties, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) associations, minority groups and civil society representatives. These seek to increase IDP access to assistance for returning in Kosovo, simplify the steps for return and delivery of social services for returnees, strengthen the protection mechanisms for minority returnees against discrimination and incorporate return needs in municipal and central development and budget planning.
The SRSG also welcomed the agreement of Pristina and Belgrade to cooperate more closely in the return of displaced persons to Kosovo. “The agreement reached in the Protocol will allow greater technical cooperation at municipality levels and this is where the real efforts for sustainable returns must rest,” the SRSG said.