On 04 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Zahir Tanin, and his Deputy, Mr. Christopher Coleman, visited Istog/Istok Municipality and met with the Mayor, Mr. Haki Rugova and other senior municipal officials.  The SRSG and the Mayor discussed economic and social developments in the municipality, the returns and reintegration process and the municipal effort towards improving the welfare of non-majority communities.

The SRSG expressed appreciation for the Mayor’s leadership and continued efforts in addressing the needs of the non-majority communities, highlighting a number of infrastructure projects and other initiatives in ethnically-mixed areas, leading towards reconciliation between the communities. The Mayor emphasised historically good cooperation with UNMIK and stressed his commitment to continue advancing inter-ethnic dialogue and tolerance, as well as the return and reintegration of displaced persons.

Following the meeting, the SRSG and the Head of the Municipal Office for Communities and Return, jointly visited the K-Roma, K-Ashkali and K-Egyptian returnee site in Serbobran/Srbobran village, where they met with community representatives.

SRSG Zahir Tanin (left), DSRSG Christopher Coleman (second left) meeting with Mayor, Mr. Haki Rugova (second right). ©UNMIK Photo by: Arton Muçolli

SRSG, Zahir Tanin, DSRSG, Christopher Coleman visited the K-Roma, K-Ashkali and K-Egyptian returnee site in Serbobran/Srbobran village. ©UNMIK Photo by: Arton Muçolli

SRSG, Zahir Tanin, DSRSG, Christopher Coleman talking to the returnees in Serbobran/Srbobran village ©UNMIK Photo by: Arton Muçolli