Summary: February 6, 2004: Statement to the Security Council of the United Nations by H.E. Ambassador Richard Ryan, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union. Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (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 candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway, declare that they align themselves with this statement.
As this is the first time I have taken the floor under your Presidency of the Security Council, please allow me to congratulate you on the assumption of your duties. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the previous President, Ambassador Munoz of Chile, for the excellent manner in which he steered the Council's deliberations in January.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General's report, and Mr. Holkeri's comprehensive and cogent presentation, clearly set out the progress which has been achieved in Kosovo so far, but also the many challenges that remain to be tackled.
I would like to underscore the European Union's strong support for SRSG Holkeri in his task of implementing in full Security Council Resolution 1244, and UNMIK's policy of "standards before status". These remain the foundation of the international community's commitment to Kosovo. We urge all the parties, including those in the region, to cooperate fully with the SRSG in a constructive and committed manner. The EU has a longterm commitment to Kosovo. We look forward to close cooperation with
the UN to assure that the UN led "Standards for Kosovo" process and the EU initiated process to prepare Kosovo for further moves towards the Union are mutually reinforcing.
Mr. President,
The European Union welcomes the progress which has been achieved in such areas as the rule of law, freedom of movement, returns and minority rights. While this progress is encouraging, it is clear that successful implementation of "Standards for Kosovo " requires further effort on the part of all the parties.
In particular, it needs the political will and genuine commitment of Kosovo's leaders. All Kosovo's leaders must uphold the practical application of the values of multi-ethnicity, tolerance and equal rights for all communities. As the Secretary-General has noted in his report, the way forward lies in making progress on the benchmarks set out in "Standards for Kosovo". The focus should be on improving the daily lives of all the people of Kosovo. Belgrade must play their part here too.
The establishment of a mechanism to measure the progress made in meeting the standards is a significant development. The "Standards for Kosovo" document is an essential first step, and the task now is to build on this foundation. The EU Commission annual reviews could be useful here in determining an equal international assessment of the progress made. Other EU instruments such as the European Partnerships could also play a role by ensuring that the provisional government allocates financial
and personnel resources to meet the requirements in the "Standards for Kosovo Process"
The immediate priority is the completion of the "implementation work plan", and we look forward to its early presentation. We strongly urge all parties, including the Kosovo Serbs, to engage fully in the process of finalizing the Standards before Status implementation plan. We also urge the authorities in Belgrade to encourage Kosovo Serb participation in this process. A first opportunity for an overall review of progress made could occur in mid-2005, and earlier if sufficient movement has
taken place.
Mr. President,
Although the presentation of the work plan will be an important step forward, the process of implementing the standards is not dependent on its completion. For their part, the Provisional Institutions must meet their responsibility for making coherent and sustainable progress on implementing the standards. We note that the transfer of non-reserved responsibilities under Chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework is largely complete. The Provisional Institutions must now concentrate on
implementing those responsibilities fully and fairly,in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework.
It is a matter of concern, as the Secretary-General has pointed out, that not all ethnic communities participate meaningfully in the Provisional Institutions - the Presidency, the Government and the Kosovo Assembly. The Assembly must take into account legitimate minority concerns in the legislative process, and should be scrupulously careful not to over-step its competencies. Likewise, illegal parallel administrative structures in Kosovo damage the cause of a multi-ethnic society. Support for
parallel structures should cease, and an alternative to parallel structures must be found to ensure that all Kosovo's citizens get the same levels of social and administrative services.
Serbia and Montenegro plays a crucial role in efforts to stabilize the region as well as with respect to the implementation of standards and the future status of Kosovo. It is in the interest of all parties to facilitate their commitment and contribution.
The EU believes that the direct dialogue initiated on October 14, 2003 in Vienna is a central plank of the "Standards for Kosovo" policy. All parties concerned need to constructively engage in the working groups as the follow-up to the Vienna meeting. Multi-ethnic delegations to the four working groups of the direct dialogue should be established by the Provisional Institutions as soon as possible. Delays in starting the working groups are detrimental to progress on the "Standards".
Mr. President,
The EU is committed to the goal of a stable, multiethnic and democratic Kosovo within its place in Europe. Last November the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the European Union's readiness to assist in the achievement of this objective, in the context of the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and 'Standards for Kosovo.' In that spirit, Ministers mandated High Representative Solana to prepare a report in close coordination with the Commission and in
cooperation with SRSG Holkeri.
This report should explore ways and means of further enhancing the EU's contribution to the implementation of Resolution 1244, taking full account of the Stabilisation and Association Process Tracking Mechanism and the importance of the effective implementation of the 'Standards Implementation Plan'. European Union Foreign Ministers are scheduled to consider this report later this month.
Mr. President,
The EU is firmly committed to supporting Kosovo's economic reconstruction and development. In his report, the Secretary General sets out the scale of the task in tackling unemployment, infrastructural deficits, and creating a positive climate for investment. Economic progress is essential for the creation of a tolerant, multiethnic and democratic Kosovo.
Through the EU pillar of UNMIK, Pillar IV, the EU is assisting in the revitalisation of economic activity in Kosovo, towards the creation of the conditions for a modern, open market economy. The aim is to establish a sustainable private sector, one which will create employment. The long term perspective is to bring Kosovo's legislative and administrative frameworks closer to European standards. The European Agency for Reconstruction continues to finance and manage sustainable reconstruction and
development programmes in Kosovo under the guidance of the European Commission. Future progress will depend on structural reforms in Kosovo, including legislative and institutional efforts, as well as sound fiscal and budget policies. The EU is disturbed that local members are boycotting KTA Board meetings, thus preventing the privatisation of socially owned enterprises that are ready for transfer to successful bidders. We also hope that the issue of liability of KTA officials can be resolved
quickly. Successful privatisation will be a crucial factor for economic growth and development. We urge the Provisional Institutions to engage constructively in that process.
Finally, as the Secretary General notes, UNMIK's work can only continue if the necessary funding in crucial areas is available. For its part, the EU is the largest donor of financial support in Kosovo, and we encourage others to consider as a priority how they can deepen their assistance to Kosovo in the various areas set out in the SG's report.
Thank you Mr. President.
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