SRSG Tanin at Security Council Session on Kosovo: “Pursuing Fair, Difficult Compromises Demands Strong Leadership”

16 Aug 2017

SRSG Tanin at Security Council Session on Kosovo: “Pursuing Fair, Difficult Compromises Demands Strong Leadership”

SRSG Tanin Calls for Seriousness and Responsibility during Security Council Session on Kosovo: “Pursuing Fair, Difficult Compromises Demands Strong Leadership”

16 August, 2017 – New York: The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo and Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin, highlighted to Security Council members today that the past quarter had been dominated by the holding of an early general election in Kosovo and ensuing negotiations to form a new government.

In his regular update on Kosovo, SRSG Tanin expressed that a functional institutional vacuum had made it challenging to progress on governance priorities adding that “important economic and social opportunities were missed during such a period.” He also highlighted, however, that the election was “generally free, fair and competitive, despite the very short preparation time and campaign.” The voice of many new and younger voters for whom prominent concerns were economic opportunities, reducing corruption and strengthening the rule of law were notable. 

Noting the proposed initiative of President Vucic of Serbia for an internal dialogue on Kosovo, SRSG Tanin underlined that “pursuing fair, difficult, often painful, compromises demands strong leadership from all sides.” He stressed that political reconciliation must also be accompanied by societal reconciliation.

SRSG Tanin noted the UN Mission in Kosovo’s efforts to support the advancement of inter-community relations on the ground. In that regard, he highlighted the round-table meeting in Geneva co-hosted with the High Commissioner for Human Rights to bring attention back to the many unresolved cases of missing persons in Kosovo. Other UN-led initiatives to strengthen societal relations included the first UN Kosovo Youth Assembly was attended by over 140 young leaders – 60 percent of them women – representing all Kosovo’s ethnic communities.

After three months of election campaign and post-election uncertainty, SRSG Tanin underlined the importance for Kosovo to move forward seriously and responsibly, and for the international community to work together to continue to provide essential support.

Read the full statement here.