Ban welcomes successful second round of municipal elections in Kosovo

Welcoming the peaceful conduct of local Kosovo elections, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all actors to build on the success of the polls and to continue to constructively in the European Union-facilitated dialogue on normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, the UN chief welcomed the peaceful conduct of the second round of local elections on Kosovo on 1 December and “is encouraged by the positive initial reports from local and international observers as well as the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).”

Mr. Ban stressed that the successful polls throughout Kosovo “constitutes a milestone for, both, the normalization process between Belgrade and Pristina and the enhancement of democratic institutions in Kosovo.”

The Secretary-General in his statement called on actors at all levels to build upon the success of these elections.

“He urges the parties to continue to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue, with a view to implementing, in a timely and faithful manner, all provisions of the 19 April agreement, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo and the integration of police and judiciary structures in northern Kosovo.”

Mr. Ban also underlined the importance of the continued progress in the dialogue for the consolidation of peace and stability in the region.