Caroline Ziade in the Security Council. UN Special Representative for Kosovo: the parties must seek compromise solutions Peace and Security
Today at the Security Council meeting on Kosovo, Special Representative of the Secretary General Caroline Ziade emphasized the importance of resolving disputes between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as between the Kosovo Serb communities and the Pristina authorities, through open communication and dialogue. She noted the high level of mistrust between Kosovo’s ethnic communities.
She, in particular, reiterated her concerns regarding the new rules regarding remittances in Kosovo, which have negatively impacted the lives of vulnerable groups of the population.
Ziade noted efforts to resolve the contentious issue of local government legitimacy in four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo. According to media reports, a referendum held there the day before to remove Albanian mayors failed due to extremely low voter turnout. According to Ziade, this creates the basis for the unresolved problem to drag on.
“For our part, we will continue to support the EU-facilitated dialogue as a forum to find a consensus solution on outstanding issues,” said the Special Representative for Kosovo.
“Another aspect of the basic agreements that can provide a solution to this and other unresolved normalization issues is to take serious and credible steps to create an Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities,” she added.
Ziade noted a number of achievements during the reporting period, including regarding the dispute over license plates, the “energy road map” and simplification of customs activities.
She also thanked Pristina leadership for actions to fully implement the 2016 Supreme Court decision confirming the ownership rights of the Vysoki Decani monastery.
“Such actions are to be welcomed as they go a long way towards building both trust between communities and public confidence in the rule of law,” Ziade said.
The Special Representative said that the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) she oversees is actively using its resources to help strengthen mutual trust and tolerance.
“The promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental part of UNMIK’s work. Together with our partners, we continue to call on the authorities to place the principles of human rights and the rule of law at the heart of political decisions,” Ziade emphasized. with the assistance of the EU, as well as constructive interaction and the search for practical compromises.
“Progress comes from actions taken with a willingness to compromise. It is this path that leads to lasting peace and stability,” concluded Ziade.