On the eve of municipal elections in Kosovo, the United Nations mission there said that police and international security are undertaking all necessary measures to ensure a safe election period following attacks at least two of the candidates.

A United Nations independent expert today urged the Government of Serbia and the authorities in Kosovo to cooperate and discharge their primary responsibility for implementing lasting solutions for internally displaced persons, particularly as Serbia is in the process of being admitted into the framework of the European Union.

The current situation in Kosovo and the ongoing Belgrade-Pristina dialogue topped discussions today as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Hashim Thaçi, Representative of the Kosovo Authorities, and with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

Positive steps taken by leaders in Belgrade and Pristina in recent months have led to historic agreements and fundamental progress towards normalizing relations, the top United Nations official for Kosovo said, but cautioned that implementation of agreements in northern Kosovo remains a key challenge.