UNMIK/PR/1804
PRISTINA - During meetings yesterday with a range of political leaders in northern Mitrovica, SRSG Farid Zarif said that in the democratic process the individual's right to choose is inviolable. He stressed that all sides must respect the rules of peaceful and democratic conduct, above all in the interests of their own community.
"The successful completion of the electoral process is an important step toward allowing the voices of the population of northern Mitrovica to be well represented and heard," Zarif said. He added that, "The concerns raised by those I met today were strikingly similar: they want to know that they have a key role in shaping their own destiny. These elections are one important step in achieving this objective. The local community must be fully empowered. This is precisely what participation in the democratic process is about."
SRSG Zarif expressed his optimism that fair, open and constructive communication channels have been strengthened already by the local elections. He said the international community is looking forward to close collaboration with all future elected officials.
