Serbs of Kosovo say independence is not way out of current situation
Head of UN Security Council's mission, Belgium's Permanent Representative to the UN Johan Verbeke reported for the tour to Balkans to the Security Council. He said, the visit of the mission to Belgrade and Pristina was successful. Mission members succeeded in drawing the full picture of the real situation in political, economic and social development of Kosovo. Besides, from the first hand the mission could get information about views of different communities concerning their future.
Johan Verbeke reminded the delegation visited the region on Russia's initiative with the aim to examine fulfillment of UN Security Council's 1244 resolution and "Standards for Kosovo" plan, which also was approved by the Security Council. Those standards suppose functioning of democratic institutions, rule of law, freedom of movement, return of refugees and their reintegration, development of economy, protection of property rights and dialog with Belgrade.
Belgium's Permanent Representative stated that all interim institutions of power and other administrative bodies are established in Kosovo and they function rather successfully, however still the region is in the stage of post-conflict reconstruction. In his words, Albanians and Serbs of Kosovo still isolate themselves and there is no united multiethnic society in Kosovo. The Belgian Ambassador informed mission members held a number of meetings with leaders of Serbia and Kosovo, representatives of both Albanian and Serbian communities of Kosovo, as well as other national minorities of the region. They also visited south and north Mitrovica. Security Council's mission also met with NATO and European Union representatives, as well as Secretary General's Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari in Vienna.
According to Johan Verbeke at the meeting with Security Council's mission in Belgrade Serbian leaders underlined they categorically oppose the idea of granting Kosovo any form of independence. One more time Serbian authorities confirmed their readiness to grant a wide autonomy to the region. Serbia insists on returning to negotiations. Belgrade thinks that Pristina has not fulfilled the international standards and demands of 1244 resolution. They draw a special attention to the extremely low number of Serbs who returned to the region.
The head of the delegation said Albanians of Kosovo fully support Ahtisaari's plan. They call on sooner solution of their fate. He also added that the stance of Serbs of Kosovo differs from Albanians' position on the issue. During meetings with leaders of Serbian community they stated that independence is not a way out of the current situation, the UN Press Office reports.
Johan Verbeke reminded the delegation visited the region on Russia's initiative with the aim to examine fulfillment of UN Security Council's 1244 resolution and "Standards for Kosovo" plan, which also was approved by the Security Council. Those standards suppose functioning of democratic institutions, rule of law, freedom of movement, return of refugees and their reintegration, development of economy, protection of property rights and dialog with Belgrade.
Belgium's Permanent Representative stated that all interim institutions of power and other administrative bodies are established in Kosovo and they function rather successfully, however still the region is in the stage of post-conflict reconstruction. In his words, Albanians and Serbs of Kosovo still isolate themselves and there is no united multiethnic society in Kosovo. The Belgian Ambassador informed mission members held a number of meetings with leaders of Serbia and Kosovo, representatives of both Albanian and Serbian communities of Kosovo, as well as other national minorities of the region. They also visited south and north Mitrovica. Security Council's mission also met with NATO and European Union representatives, as well as Secretary General's Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari in Vienna.
According to Johan Verbeke at the meeting with Security Council's mission in Belgrade Serbian leaders underlined they categorically oppose the idea of granting Kosovo any form of independence. One more time Serbian authorities confirmed their readiness to grant a wide autonomy to the region. Serbia insists on returning to negotiations. Belgrade thinks that Pristina has not fulfilled the international standards and demands of 1244 resolution. They draw a special attention to the extremely low number of Serbs who returned to the region.
The head of the delegation said Albanians of Kosovo fully support Ahtisaari's plan. They call on sooner solution of their fate. He also added that the stance of Serbs of Kosovo differs from Albanians' position on the issue. During meetings with leaders of Serbian community they stated that independence is not a way out of the current situation, the UN Press Office reports.
