UNMIK/PR/678
PRISTINA - The following statement was issued today by acting SRSG Charles Brayshaw:
The first two sessions of the Kosovo Assembly have marked the beginning of the transfer of authority from the United Nations to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). On 10 January, Kosovo's elected representatives will meet to continue the process of establishing substantial, meaningful, and effective self-government in Kosovo as called for in the Resolution.
The United Nations remains fully committed to the process, and has invested significant efforts to ensure peace and stability in Kosovo and in the region that permit the people of Kosovo to exercise the right to participate in their own government. The International Community has noted the efforts that the different entities have made over the last several weeks to build a coalition government. This is traditionally a time-consuming endeavor, including in well-established parliamentary democracies.
UNMIK urges all the political forces in Kosovo to continue and develop those efforts, thus demonstrating to the International Community their commitment to democratic processes and their readiness to take on the responsibilities of government.
Several important steps need to be completed. The composition of the Presidency must be finalized, the President of Kosovo elected, and a Prime Minister designated to form a Government.
It is in the interest of the people of Kosovo to complete these steps. We trust that the third session of the Kosovo Assembly will be characterized by the constructive engagement of the political representatives, reflecting the various mandates they received in the 17 November elections.
