Madam President, Excellencies,
The first quarter of this year has been an important one for Kosovo and for the Southeast European region.
I wish to begin by commending the new government in Pristina for its prudent and reasoned approach to addressing the many inherited and emerging challenges it faces, as well as for its ambitious reform agenda.
Both Belgrade and Pristina stand at important stages along their respective European paths. Their demonstrated ability to work together on issues of common concern has been fundamental in overcoming the legacy of hostility and conflict.
An equally encouraging development is the increase in direct contacts at the local level over recent months, alongside the EU-facilitated dialogue taking place at the higher political level.
The two meetings between Serbian Prime Minister Vučić and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Mustafa, held on 9 February and 21 April within the framework of the Brussels Dialogue, marked important milestones that will hopefully lead to tangible achievements.
There should be no excuses for delaying the remaining implementation steps of the April 2013 Agreement, nor should unresolved issues become obstacles to exploring new opportunities within the dialogue process.
Alongside our European Union and other international partners on the ground, I continue to encourage political leaders in Belgrade and Pristina to demonstrate creativity and foresight in identifying areas of common interest.
It is equally important that technical discussions at working levels remain free from unnecessary political disputes and instead focus on delivering practical results that directly improve people’s lives.
With regard to the important process of judicial integration, it is encouraging that recruitment of judges and prosecutors has begun, with a number of applications submitted by yesterday’s deadline.
I trust that this process will continue with flexibility and goodwill, particularly regarding educational qualifications.
I also commend the initiative of Prime Ministers Vučić and Mustafa to communicate directly in order to resolve pressing issues.
Such direct engagement, which complements and helps maintain the momentum of the structured dialogue process, should gradually become the norm rather than an exceptional event.
One of the core provisions of the April 2013 Agreement—the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities—remains unresolved.
Steady leadership from both Pristina and Belgrade is required to facilitate progress during the technical discussions in Brussels scheduled for today.
While fully acknowledging the complexity of the issues involved and the time required to establish a functional Association/Community, it is vital that goodwill be demonstrated in order to maintain political momentum.
Continued support from the international community will also remain essential in this regard.
Turning to developments within Kosovo, on 23 April, after approximately two months, representatives of the main Kosovo Serb political platform, the Serbian Civic Initiative, resumed their participation in the Kosovo Government and Assembly.
It is encouraging that Kosovo Serb leaders, together with Prime Minister Mustafa and members of his cabinet, found ways to overcome their differences and preserve the integrity of the governing coalition.
In addition, a member of the Serbian Civic Initiative was appointed as Minister for Communities and Returns.
Following prolonged disagreements, on 24 April all four Municipal Assemblies in northern Kosovo agreed to adopt their budgets in accordance with Kosovo legislation, leading to the effective unblocking of municipal bank accounts on 15 May.
I would also like to note the practical cooperation that has been developing between the mayors of North and South Mitrovica, Goran Rakić and Agim Bahtiri.
On 30 April, both attended the funeral in North Mitrovica of a Kosovo Albanian boy whose body was discovered approximately three weeks after his disappearance.
The two mayors later met on 21 May with Kosovo’s Ministers for Communities and Returns and Local Government Administration, as well as representatives of the Kosovo Albanian community in the Brđani/Kroi i Vitakut neighborhood.
During that meeting, they reached agreement to address longstanding issues related to returns and residential construction through the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group.
I commend both mayors for their prudent leadership and believe that the success of such an inclusive approach can serve as a valuable example for addressing other outstanding issues in this and other regions of Kosovo.
The incident that occurred on 24 May in Leposavić/Leposaviq Municipality, during which a routine EULEX convoy sustained material damage reportedly caused by gunfire, is unfortunate.
I hope the investigation into this regrettable incident will proceed promptly and with the full cooperation of the local community.
Madam President,
A matter of pressing importance is the completion of the necessary steps toward the establishment of the Specialist Court to adjudicate cases arising from the findings of the EU Special Investigative Task Force, in accordance with the highest standards of international justice.
In my meetings across Kosovo’s political spectrum, I have underlined the clear expectations of the international community, as well as those of individuals who may have been victims of past crimes, that there should be no undue delays in the actions required to establish the Court.
I had hoped to report today that the necessary constitutional and legislative measures had already been completed, but the issue is now tentatively scheduled for consideration this Friday.
In that connection, I have urged political leaders in Pristina to work diligently to promote greater public understanding of the importance of this matter for Kosovo’s future.
I am pleased to note a growing public acceptance of the Court as a mechanism for dealing with the past and focusing on the future.
In the meantime, the Lead Prosecutor, Mr. David Schwendiman, officially assumed his functions last week.
Madam President,
With regard to progress in determining the fate of missing persons, a total of 1,653 individuals remain listed as missing from the Kosovo conflict.
Progress on this issue is essential in helping to heal the wounds of the conflict and alleviate the suffering of affected families.
UNMIK continues to support and encourage progress in this area, which will depend largely upon the disclosure of additional information by all parties regarding the circumstances surrounding these disappearances.
The pace of returns and reintegration of internally displaced persons has continued to slow.
At the same time, recurring security incidents affecting returnees and their property continue to undermine efforts aimed at promoting returns, reconciliation, and integration.
The repeated incidents targeting returnees in Klinë/Klina Municipality in recent weeks, including over the recent weekend, are particularly troubling.
I called for intensified efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and am pleased to report that several arrests have already been made.
We will continue to monitor the investigation closely and look forward to the completion of due process.
At the same time, I welcome the initiative to establish an inter-ministerial group on returns led by the Minister for Communities and Returns, as well as the temporary deployment of additional police officers to Klinë/Klina.
With regard to UNMIK’s human rights activities, let me take this opportunity to brief the Council on the work of the Mission’s Human Rights Advisory Panel.
Established in 2006, the Panel investigates individual complaints concerning alleged human rights violations during the early years of UNMIK’s deployment.
The Panel received 527 complaints, of which 464 have been closed, while 63 cases remain outstanding.
The Panel has consistently recommended compensation for moral damages.
However, relevant General Assembly resolutions prohibit compensation by the United Nations for non-economic losses resulting from peacekeeping operations.
Nonetheless, in discussions with national and international interlocutors, I have advocated for the establishment of an appropriate mechanism to address moral damages, as well as further investigations of unresolved cases by the relevant judicial authorities.
Regarding the preservation of cultural and religious heritage, the draft Law on Cultural Heritage recently submitted to the Kosovo Assembly generated significant controversy.
I welcome the subsequent decision of the Kosovo Government to withdraw the draft law in order to allow broader consultations and facilitate the adoption of a consensual legislative framework.
Madam President,
On 30 April, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo.
The government’s dynamic approach contributed significantly to this achievement.
Political leaders in Pristina have expressed their determination to intensify efforts in strengthening the rule of law, promoting economic development, and advancing democratic governance.
I would also note the regional cooperation taking place within the framework of the “Western Balkans Six,” in which Kosovo participates.
The meeting of prime ministers in Brussels on 21 April demonstrated the potential for enhanced regional cooperation and integration.
This forum should continue to facilitate future agreements, including initiatives such as construction of the Niš–Pristina highway, the restoration of the Mitrovica–Pejë/Peć railway line, and the re-establishment of a direct air connection between Pristina and Belgrade.
The strong potential of effective regional cooperation was also demonstrated through efforts to address the recent phenomenon of irregular migration from Kosovo.
Similar cooperation will be needed to confront the challenge of violent extremism.
In this regard, the significant efforts undertaken by the Kosovo authorities are particularly noteworthy, including the adoption in March of legislation prohibiting participation in armed conflicts outside Kosovo and the establishment of a Government Anti-Radicalization Taskforce.
Kosovo’s law enforcement institutions and religious community leaders have also played an important role.
We have already seen concrete outcomes from these efforts, most recently through the indictment of 32 individuals on charges related to violent extremism, together with ongoing investigations into additional cases.
Radicalization is a global concern, and the Western Balkans is no exception.
I trust that outreach initiatives and active regional cooperation will continue so that effective responses to this transnational challenge can be developed.
Finally, I would like to join many regional and European leaders in expressing deep concern regarding the deadly armed clashes with police in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that took place in Kumanovo on 9 and 10 May.
Several individuals from Kosovo were reportedly involved in those violent events.
I am pleased to note that regional leaders, including the President and Prime Minister of Kosovo, condemned the violence and exercised considerable restraint to avoid inflaming tensions.
Time should be allowed for a transparent and comprehensive investigation by the relevant authorities.
Madam President,
I conclude by expressing my deep appreciation to you and the other members of the Security Council for your continued support of UNMIK.
I would also like to thank Council members for their sustained and constructive engagement with both parties.
Such engagement remains essential for encouraging the full implementation of the April 2013 Agreement and for supporting progress on other important issues, including the establishment of the Specialist Court.
UNMIK will continue to work closely with its local and international partners in support of these important processes and in accordance with its mandate.
Thank you very much.
