The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK Ms. Caroline Ziadeh visited the municipality of Kamenicë/Kamenica on 4 November, where she met with Mayor Kadri Rahimaj, the Deputy Mayor for Communities and the Director of the Municipal Department of Culture.

SRSG Ziadeh and the Municipality officials discussed inter-ethnic relations in the municipality. The Head of UNMIK commended the excellent relations established between the communities in Kamenicë/Kamenica, and the municipality’s efforts to promote them: “I compliment the municipality and you, Mr. Mayor, on holding up cohesion and tolerance as your core values,” she said.

Mayor Rahimaj described Kamenicë/Kamenica as an example of co-existence in Kosovo, and emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of all Kosovo communities regardless of ethnic background or religious affiliation.  Insufficient economic development was the main problem in the municipality currently, he said, highlighting the municipality’s efforts to transform the municipality into a more economically attractive location for families to live.

SRSG Ziadeh congratulated the municipality on respecting gender balance when appointing municipal staff, and reiterated UNMIK’s commitment to support local institutions and communities, particularly in exploring initiatives that reinforce inter-community dialogue and trust-building.

She also visited Kamenicë/Kamenica’s inter-ethnic green market.