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Kostunica, Petersen discuss current Kosovo issues
Belgrade,
30 August 2004
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with the UN Special Representative for Kosovo-Metohija Soren Jessen-Petersen to discuss current issues in the province.
Petersen presented the most important issues he encountered with at the beginning of his mandate. These are safety, especially for Kosovo Serbs, their freedom of movement and return, and the province's decentralisation. The special representative said that all these problems must be resolved so that Kosovo-Metohija could keep its multiethnic character.
In that respect, decentralisation is the most efficient way of including Kosovo Serbs in the province's political life. Petersen said that he will propose to the Contact Group at the upcoming meeting to examine all ideas of decentralisation. But, he stressed, it is necessary that Kosovo Serbs take part in the election for interim institutions.
The Serbian Prime Minister pointed out to wasted years, and after the March violence, to several months wasted in the resolution of the issues of security, freedom of movement and return. That is the reason why Serbs do not have confidence in interim institutions.
Kostunica highlighted that the process of decentralisation must include institutional guarantees for the Serb community, envisaged by the Serbian government's Plan for the resolution of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija. That is the only way to ensure their return and survival, and motivate them take part in the upcoming election.
The Prime Minister said that the two existing decentralisation plans are complementary and that there is enough time for a compromise solution to be found.
The officials agreed that the dialogue on these issues should be continued.
In that respect, decentralisation is the most efficient way of including Kosovo Serbs in the province's political life. Petersen said that he will propose to the Contact Group at the upcoming meeting to examine all ideas of decentralisation. But, he stressed, it is necessary that Kosovo Serbs take part in the election for interim institutions.
The Serbian Prime Minister pointed out to wasted years, and after the March violence, to several months wasted in the resolution of the issues of security, freedom of movement and return. That is the reason why Serbs do not have confidence in interim institutions.
Kostunica highlighted that the process of decentralisation must include institutional guarantees for the Serb community, envisaged by the Serbian government's Plan for the resolution of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija. That is the only way to ensure their return and survival, and motivate them take part in the upcoming election.
The Prime Minister said that the two existing decentralisation plans are complementary and that there is enough time for a compromise solution to be found.
The officials agreed that the dialogue on these issues should be continued.
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