Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNSC Briefing on the situation in Kosovo
Statement by H. E. Mr. Volodymyr Yelchenko, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, at the UNSC Briefing on the situation in Kosovo
(February 29, 2016)
Mr. President,
I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Mr Zahir Tanin for his briefing.
I also thank First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Ivica Dacic as well as Ms. Vlora Citaku for their statements.
The Security Council and the UNMIK continue to play an important role in supporting Kosovo institutions to tackle the many challenges that lie ahead. Ukraine strongly supports the work of Mr. Tanin and the UNMIK in promoting security, stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo and in the region as well as in its constructive engagement with Pristina and Belgrade.
We also commend the UNMIK partners on the ground, including OSCE, KFOR, EULEX, and the European Union for their cooperation and continuing contributions to peace and progress in Kosovo.
Mr. President,
Ukraine takes note of the latest Report of the Secretary-General on the UNMIK submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). We agree with the Secretary General analysis and observations on the situation in Kosovo and urge all related parties to take measures to stabilize the situation and reach necessary consensus on the implementation of previously reached agreements.
I would like to focus on four main points which we consider important for further stabilization.
Firstly, Ukraine welcomes the continuation of the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina and the achieved agreements under the auspices of the European Union last year. We welcome the signing and ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo and support its European integration.
At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the latest acts of violence by Kosovo opposition parties. . These actions have negative impact not only to the security situation in Kosovo but to the whole process of implementation of the package of the Belgrade-Pristina agreements. Such actions are unacceptable and we call on all political actors in Kosovo to abstain from all forms of violence. We reiterate the calls for respect for the rule of law, democratic procedures, and international norms.
Secondly, Ukraine welcomes the agreement on the establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo and supports the commitment by the Kosovo institutions to continue this process.
This agreement is an important mechanism for further stabilization and delaying its implementation would be a step in the wrong direction and would erode the mutual trust that is necessary in any dialogue process.
Thirdly, Ukraine commends the establishment of the Specialist court and the agreement of the Government of the Netherlands, announced on 15 January, to host this institution in The Hague.
Fourthly, we fully share the vision of the Secretary-General that it is important “to continue the progress made in the integration into Kosovo institutions of former Serbian civil protection personnel”. We also commend the initiatives by business leaders within the Chambers of Commerce in both Belgrade and Pristina to put aside political problems and to build new cooperation within the business community.
I thank you.
