Now Appeals to Serious and Responsible

UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Kosovo, Chief of Kosovo UNMIK, Zahir Tan, stressed today before members of the Security Council that the last quarter has been dominated by holding early elections in Kosovo and subsequent negotiations on creating a new government.

In his regular report on Kosovo, PSSP tan said that the vacuum of functional institutions has challenged progress in governing priorities and added that “over this period were lost significant economic and social opportunities.” He also stressed that the “elections were generally free, fair and competitive, despite the short time of preparation and campaigning.” The voice of many younger voters, for whom dominant concern was economic opportunities, reducing corruption and empowering rule of law, was spotted.

Speaking of the initiative proposed by Serbia's president, Vukic, for an internal dialogue on Kosovo, PSSP Tanin underlined that the pursuit of fair compromises, and often difficult and painful, requires powerful leadership on all sides.” He stressed that political reconciliation must also be conveyed by social reconciliation.

P The SSP Tanin stressed UNMIK's efforts to support advancing reports between communities on the ground. In this regard, he stressed the round table held in Geneva, in co-operation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to turn attention to many unresolved cases of missing persons in Kosovo. Other UN-led initiatives to strengthen relations in society include Kosovo's First Youth Assembly, attended by over 140 new leaders, 60 per cent of whom were girls representing all ethnic communities in Kosovo.

After three months of election campaign and post-election uncertainty, SPSP Tan underlined the importance of Kosovo moving forward with seriousness and responsibility, and for the international community to co-operate to ensure continued essential support.