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Secretary-General appeals for continued support for UN’s Kosovo mission

Secretary-General appeals for continued support for UN’s Kosovo mission

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for cooperation and constructive engagement from all concerned for a reconfigured United Nations mission in Kosovo, which he says is continuing to play an important role amid the changing reality on the ground following Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia last year.

While the world body has remained neutral on the question of the status of Kosovo, the UN Interim Administration Mission there (UNMIK) – which took over in 1999 after NATO forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid deadly fighting with the majority ethnic Albanian population –has been undergoing a process of restructuring to adapt to the prevailing situation.

The reconfiguration plan includes an enhanced operational role for the European Union in the area of rule of law under a UN “umbrella” headed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and in line with the 1999 Security Council resolution (1244) that established the mission.

A reconfigured UNMIK would continue to carry out many functions, including those related to a dialogue with Serbia on provisions in six areas: police, courts, customs, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and Serbian patrimony.

“UNMIK, as reconfigured, can continue to play an effective and useful role in mediating between communities, in promoting practical arrangements that can benefit both Pristina and Belgrade, and in carrying out the functions set out in my reports of 12 June and 24 November 2008,” Mr. Ban wrote in a report to the Security Council, referring to the details of the restructuring that he put forth last year.

“However, in order to do so effectively, UNMIK requires the cooperation and constructive engagement of all concerned,” he added. “The continuing support of the Security Council and of the broader international community for a reconfigured UNMIK is of crucial importance.”

He commended in particular the Mission’s efforts to mediate between communities amid recent tensions in northern Mitrovica, and welcomed the positive outcomes reached through the coordinated efforts of UNMIK, the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) and the NATO-led international force (KFOR).

The Secretary-General welcomed the assumption of full operational capability by EULEX, noting that its operational role in the rule of law sector, under the overall authority and within the status-neutral framework of the UN, is key to the maintenance of stability on the ground.

“As EULEX develops its road map for the strengthening of the rule of law throughout Kosovo, the concerns of all communities should continue to be taken fully into account, in close consultation with UNMIK,” he said.

Mr. Ban also noted that Kosovo authorities continued to act on the basis of the ‘Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo’ and made a series of public statements requesting UNMIK to conclude its mission, “asserting that Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) is no longer relevant and that they had no legal obligation to abide by it.”

In addition, although the Kosovo authorities maintained minimal contact with his Special Representative, Lamberto Zannier, during the reporting period from 10 March to 31 May, there continued to be “practical cooperation” between UNMIK representatives and Kosovo officials.

“My Special Representative and international stakeholders encouraged Pristina to take a more constructive stance towards engagement with UNMIK,” Mr. Ban stated.