Summary: October 30, 2003: Statement to the Security Council of the United Nations by H.E. Ambassador Marcello Spatafora, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN on behalf of the European Union. THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO - Security Council resolutions 1160 (1998), 1199 (1998), 1203 (1998), 1239 (1999) and 1244 (1999) (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, declare that they align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
We have carefully read Secretary-General Kofi Annan's new Report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and we have listened attentively to the Special Representative and Head of UNMIK's comprehensive briefing. While thanking Mr. Holkeri, the European Union commends the work he has done since he began his assignment on 13 August, and it reaffirms its strong support for him in the challenging task of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution
1244 (1999), where he can count on our continued assistance. The European Union urges all concerned in Kosovo and in the region to cooperate in a constructive manner with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, while refraining from unilateral acts and statements that risk jeopardizing the goal of a stable, multiethnic and democratic Kosovo.
Mr. President,
The European Council of 16-17 October welcomed the launch of the direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues, held in Vienna on 14 October, as a key benchmark in the International Community's strategy "standards before status," based on Resolution 1244. Because it addresses issues with a direct impact on people's lives, it represents an essential step towards normalization in Kosovo and further advancement towards European standards, within the Stabilization and
Association Process. The European Council has also expressed its disappointment that some of the key interlocutors chose not to attend. It has particularly stressed the importance of establishing technical working groups in November on energy, transport and communication, returnees and missing persons. To this end, it has urged both parties to make the necessary preparations and to engage constructively and unconditionally in this process on a multiethnic basis. It has also supported Mr.
Holkeri's efforts in this direction.
The European Union is confident that technical talks in the working groups will soon begin, leading to concrete solutions. For that purpose, the European Union urges all parties involved, namely the representatives from the Kosovo Provisional Institutions, to fully commit themselves, thus making an essential contribution to the possibility of producing, as early as possible, tangible results. The European Union does not consider dialogue to be optional. We, therefore, expect both sides to
engage seriously and constructively in the working groups.
Mr. President,
The European Union fully shares the Secretary-General's conclusions that "the ongoing transfer of non-reserved responsibilities listed in chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework increasingly provides Kosovo's Provisional Institutions with the possibility to demonstrate their capacity to assume additional responsibilities, and their ability to ensure efficient and effective administration."
The European Union encourages Kosovo's Provisional Institutions to strengthen cooperation and consultation with UNMIK. In this respect, it welcomes the development of a work plan aimed at further operationalising the standards before status strategy. Direct dialogue talks on practical issues should also be part of the work plan.
Much remains to be done in Kosovo in order to guarantee full respect for the rule of law and for human and minority rights, including adequate minority participation at both the central and local levels of government. As we have noted in the Secretary-General's Report, Belgrade has again been requested to dismantle parallel administrative structures and replace them through cooperation with Kosovo's multi-ethnic Provisional Institutions.
The European Union reaffirms its strong condemnation of all acts of violence and intimidation in Kosovo, and in particular those directed at minorities. Their only effect is that of jeopardizing the process of normalization and reconciliation. The return of minorities remains an essential benchmark in the framework of the standards before status strategy.
Mr. President,
Allow us to conclude by saying that the European Union continues to be firmly committed to supporting Kosovo's economic recovery which is indispensable for ensuring stability and development within the society.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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