Security Council could adopt declaration avoiding unilateral actions by Kosovo, Serbia

In the upcoming discussion on Kosovo at the UN Security Council this month, a declaration through which Kosovo and Serbia would be urged to avoid unilateral actions will be considered. The document addressing possible discussions also mentions the actions of the Kosovo government in the north, which were criticised for being unilateral, as well as the parties' failure to start implementing the Ohrid Brussels and Annex Agreement.

The Security Council of the United Nations may consider adopting a declaration urging Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from unilateral acts and to resolve disputes through a relaxed dialogue by the European Union.

This is mentioned in the organisation's report operating under the UN, “Security Council Report”, which is expected to discuss Kosovo this month.

The Council's <x0).Priorties are the preservation of stability in Kosovo and promotion of the escalation of tensions in the north. It will continue to monitor diplomatic efforts to advance the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and any efforts towards reaching a legally binding final agreement for Kosovo. To that end, the Council could consider adopting a presidential statement calling on all sides to refrain from unilateral actions and resolve unresolved issues through dialogue facilitated by the EU”, the report said.

Further in the document are featured developments in recent months around the north, as well as the European Union's unsuccessful efforts to push the parties towards implementing the Ohrid Basic and Annex Agreement.

Also highlighted is the failure of parties to find a solution to implement the Central Bank's regulation among the Serb community, which prohibits the use of the dinar as a cash payment tool, writes Time.

After the failure of the negotiations, Kosovo Police conducted several operations targeting banking facilities in northern Kosovo. On May 20th, they closed and confiscated six offices of the Serbian Post Savings Bank in the four northern municipalities, claiming by means of a press release that these institutions had acted illegally and that actions were undertaken for the establishment of rule and law. The next day, the EU described the operation as escalations and said it contradicts normalization. On May 31st, Ziadeh stressed the importance of avoiding unilateral actions that could increase tensions, jeopardise stability and undermine trust among communities”, the report says.

Although Council members are unique in supporting the EU's facilitated dialogue to create conditions for normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the report confirms deep differences between permanent members in terms of Kosovo.

It also mentions the disputed recognition of one of the UN- Sierra Leone member states, which you once knew and then withdrew recognition of Kosovo.

The issue of modification of UNMIK's mandate with the aim of leaving Kosovo is another point separating Council members.

While the United States has been the most vocal agent for reviewing UNMIK's operations and ending the mission, Russia has rejected any changes in its mandate.