Sumario: September 5, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union at the open meeting of the Security Council, on the situation in Kosovo (NEW YORK)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Associated Countries - Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, as well as the EFTA countries of the European Economic Area - Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
Let me begin by congratulating you, Sir, as others who have spoken before me have done, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September.
I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Hédi Annabi for his informative briefing on the latest developments in Kosovo since the meeting of the Council on 30 July. Allow me also at the outset to welcome the recent appointment of Mr. Francesco Bastagli as the deputy head of UNMIK in charge of civil administration.
Mr. President,
The European Union is satisfied that Kosovo continues to move in the right direction towards the full implementation of resolution 1244. We welcome the continuing progress in the preparations for the municipal elections on 26 October and are encouraged by the latest figures on the number of political entities from all communities that have been certified. The creation of a multi-ethnic coalition following the recent municipal elections in Southern Serbia should serve as inspiration for the
parties in Kosovo.
At the same time, however, we are seriously concerned by recent events that have increased political tensions in Kosovo. In particular, the European Union deeply regrets that the demonstrations protesting the arrest of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army and others led to violent clashes between demonstrators and UNMIK Police and KFOR and resulted in large numbers of injured. We also deplore the statements of the Kosovo Government, which imputed a political motivation into efforts to
uphold the rule of law in Kosovo.
The European Union fully supports UNMIK's efforts to maintain order and uphold the rule of law in Kosovo. The authority of UNMIK in this respect is clearly established by the Security Council in resolution 1244. The European Union is confident that recent arrests have taken place in accordance with the established judicial process and have been carried out regardless of the ethnic, national or political affiliation of the suspects.
The European Union calls upon all politicians in Kosovo to contribute to a society that respects the rule of law and where the judiciary performs its functions without political interference. This is a basic requirement for progress in Kosovo as well as for closer relations with the European Union.
Mr. President,
The European Union expresses its strong concern regarding recent events in the area of Peje/Pec where UNMIK Police and KFOR came under fire from several attackers while protecting Kosovo Serb farmers. In particular, the European Union deplores that these events took place in an area that is of great importance for the implementation of the return programme in Kosovo.
The European Union notes the recent progress achieved in the return process with the assistance of UNMIK and UNHCR and reaffirms the importance of continuing to work towards a more favourable climate for the acceptance of returnees. We encourage further collaboration between UNMIK and the Kosovo provisional institutions to establish the necessary conditions for the acceleration of the return process. At the same time, it is important that the returns take place in an orderly fashion to ensure
the sustainability of this process.
Mr. President,
Allow me to conclude by underlining that the European Union remains fully committed to supporting the peaceful long-term development of Kosovo. We encourage all parties to continue to work together in a responsible manner towards achieving this common objective.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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