During the first week of March, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin, held a series of consultations in London. These meetings were part of SRSG Tanin’s ongoing commitment to regular discussions with members of the UN Security Council, and follows meetings held in Paris on 16 February as well as the most recent Security Council debate on Kosovo on 27 February.

On 7 March, SRSG Tanin held meetings with the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), including representatives of the Western Balkans and Enlargement Department, and of the Peacekeeping Partnerships Team. During the course of productive, in-depth discussions, there was shared concern about raised tensions in Kosovo and the Western Balkans region, and an emphasis on the need for all parties to ensure clear and consistent communication and responsible leadership. The imperative need for exclusively peaceful resolution of disagreements was confirmed by all present.

The FCO representatives and SRSG Tanin agreed to remain in close and regular contact, including through the existing close and cooperative relationships already established with United Kingdom representatives in Kosovo and the region.

On 9 March, SRSG Tanin met the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, and briefed him on the situation in Kosovo and on recent state of relations between Pristina and Belgrade. The National Security Adviser emphasized the commitment of the United Kingdom government to peace and stability in Kosovo and the region, as well as the importance of continued international engagement to support stability.