Mr. President, Excellencies,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate all new Member States that joined the Security Council in 2018. In particular, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and Kuwait for holding the Presidency of the Council this month.
Today, I will update you on recent developments, many of which are documented in the Secretary-General’s report before you. I will focus on the key facts that have dominated both the reporting period and the days that followed.
Mr. President,
Yesterday, the European Union launched its new Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans, the most ambitious and comprehensive framework for engagement since the Thessaloniki Summit of 2003.
The new strategy opens a pathway toward enlargement linked to political and socio-economic reform, as well as reconciliation and the lasting resolution of disputes.
The reaction in Kosovo was mixed, but most leaders in Pristina emphasized the importance of this strategy for advancing Kosovo’s European Union perspective.
It is clear within this new framework, Mr. President, that dialogue and the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina are prerequisites for Kosovo’s aspirations toward EU integration.
While there have been a number of formal and informal high-level contacts between leaders from Pristina and Belgrade, it has now been more than a year since the technical-level dialogue produced any substantial progress.
A number of existing agreements remain to be fully implemented, most notably the Association/Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities.
The year 2018 offers an opportunity for renewed momentum in the dialogue process. As the EU High Representative highlighted yesterday, the dialogue could be brought to a positive conclusion if sufficient political will is demonstrated by leaders and if the international community provides appropriate encouragement.
Mr. President,
The recent attempt by a number of members of Kosovo’s ruling coalition to repeal the law governing the Specialist Chambers attracted widespread attention and raised serious concerns among all stakeholders regarding Kosovo’s commitment to justice and the impartial application of the rule of law.
The establishment of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, approved by the Assembly in 2015, represented a major achievement for Kosovo.
Yet, in contradiction to that progress, on the evening of 22 December, certain members of the Kosovo Assembly initiated efforts to revoke a key law supporting the work of the Specialist Chambers.
Virtually all regional and international partners of Kosovo made clear that such a move, if successful, would severely damage Kosovo’s aspirations and international reputation.
While some political leaders subsequently distanced themselves from the initiative, the proposal to repeal the law remains on the Assembly’s agenda.
The President of the Assembly assured me that leaders in Pristina would honor their international commitments.
I would like to reiterate that this court does not target any specific community or group. It addresses only individual criminal responsibility.
This is well understood by many people in Kosovo, who recognize that repealing the Specialist Chambers is simply not an option.
The only path forward is acceptance of justice.
Mr. President,
The murder of Oliver Ivanović, the prominent Kosovo Serb politician, on 16 January in broad daylight sent shockwaves across Kosovo and the wider region, raising concerns about the possibility of renewed political instability.
I condemned the murder within hours of its occurrence, calling for calm and for a swift and decisive investigation.
Representatives of the international community were united in this position.
I have also urged all parties to work together to ensure that the perpetrators of this brutal act are brought to justice.
It is important to note that leaders in both Belgrade and Pristina responded promptly and responsibly.
As Kosovo Police lead the investigation, Pristina and Belgrade have reached an understanding to exchange information and support the investigative process.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited Kosovo shortly after the incident and emphasized to Kosovo Serb communities in both the north and south that preserving peace was of paramount importance.
I would also like to underscore the constructive role played by officials in Pristina in facilitating this visit.
In my meetings with leaders in Pristina, they made clear their commitment to identifying both the perpetrators and the motives behind this crime.
Belgrade has cooperated with the investigation, although concerns remain regarding the efficiency of information exchange.
Failure to identify those responsible would not only represent a grave miscarriage of justice but would also undermine confidence among all communities.
Mr. President,
Throughout 2017, Kosovo underwent parliamentary and municipal elections and formed a new government.
The people of Kosovo have high expectations of both the government and the Assembly in light of their needs and the promises made to them.
The realities of daily life in Kosovo—including unemployment, governance challenges, economic and social development concerns, corruption, and organized crime—require political leaders to work together, transcend their differences, and pursue a common purpose for the benefit of the public.
These efforts can be strengthened through productive and positive relations with the international community and all international presences operating in Kosovo.
One welcome example has been the joint efforts of political parties to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda.
I commend the government's commitment to ending poverty, improving education, promoting gender equality, protecting the environment, advancing a just and peaceful society, and ensuring prosperity for all.
These commitments are fundamental to addressing the challenges facing Kosovo.
Mr. President,
The international community continues to assist Kosovo institutions in promoting justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
The Government of Kosovo approved four draft laws relating to the functioning of the judicial system, aimed at improving efficiency and transparency.
I would also like to note that judicial integration continues to move forward, with officials in the Mitrovica Basic Court and Basic Prosecution Office now operating as part of a unified Kosovo justice system.
Our mission, together with other international presences, is working closely to ensure the full functionality of this integrated system, including issues related to compliance with language rights.
At the same time, we take note of the Government of Kosovo’s decision to recognize and verify the status of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including provisions for monthly pensions.
I also acknowledge the appointment by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj of the Deputy Chair of the Kosovo Government’s Commission on Missing Persons.
Despite these important developments, significant challenges remain regarding the advancement of the rule of law and the strengthening of human rights in Kosovo.
Efforts in these areas must continue to be guided by international best practices.
Among a number of setbacks concerning the rule of law, the use of presidential pardons for three individuals convicted in the so-called Hajra Family Case was particularly troubling.
Human rights protections must not be weakened by political considerations or ethnic factors. Any such attempts would cast a dark shadow over the vision of a society governed by the rule of law.
Mr. President,
UNMIK and its partners have continued to support women and young people and strengthen their essential contributions to peace, security, and trust-building across communities.
During the reporting period, the annual international campaign, “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” was implemented throughout Kosovo.
The campaign brought together international organizations, government institutions, and civil society, contributing to greater public awareness of both the causes and consequences of violence against women and girls.
Women, however, continue to face significant challenges in electoral politics.
Of the 204 mayoral candidates across Kosovo’s municipalities, only eight were women.
A concerted effort is needed to achieve more balanced representation and provide women with a genuinely level playing field.
Similarly, the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda remains of great importance in Kosovo.
Despite understandable frustrations with the status quo, Kosovo’s youth continue to provide hope for a better present and a better future.
UNMIK continues to engage young people from across Kosovo through initiatives such as the United Nations Youth Assembly in Kosovo.
I remain inspired by the young leaders I have met—individuals who possess the courage to work across societal divides and develop a common vision for a successful multi-ethnic society.
Building trust between communities remains central to the mission’s work.
Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the engagement of institutions at every level and the support of the international community in helping to build bridges and foster long-term trust.
Our mission has undertaken numerous initiatives aimed at supporting grassroots trust-building and applying the expertise of the United Nations in pursuit of that objective.
Across Kosovo, there are many leaders committed to this vision, and we continue to support their efforts actively.
Mr. President,
This moment presents an opportunity for progress and for advancing the political dialogue.
Prior to this Council session, I completed a series of consultations with leaders and officials in Pristina, Belgrade, and Tirana.
Despite the significant differences that were expressed, I am convinced that these leaders share a broader understanding of the challenges that must be overcome and of the need to avoid continuously postponing necessary action.
I would like to underline that, despite all disagreements, the potential for trust-building and more forward-looking decision-making should not be underestimated.
Thank you very much.
