Ambassadors: Continue Kosovo dialogue, set up court

Ambassadors: Continue Kosovo dialogue, set up court

At the UNSC session in New York late on Thursday where the latest report on Kosovo was presented, the ambassadors condemned attacks on the Serb community, its property and cultural heritage in the province, but they also voiced different opinions on the continuation of UNMIK mission.

Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin urged the establishment of a special court for war crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during and after the war in Kosovo.

U.S. Ambassador David Pressman underscored that the progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and full implementation of agreements continue to bear key importance for the people in Kosovo, the progress of Serbia and Kosovo in terms of their European integration and stability in the region.

He noted that although the dialogue on the political level is still halted, progress in the technical talks persists, including the talks on agreements on integrated crossing management, vehicle insurance and freedom of movement.

The threats against returnees and jeopardizing their property, acts of vandalism and desecration of the Decani Monastery and the flammable rhetoric that followed the football match between Serbian and Albanian teams constitute a reason for concern and point to the need to double the efforts and improve security, Pressman said.

Ambassador of Great Britain Michael Tatham underscored that the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations is the key to progress on the EU path and called on both sides to implement the agreements reached so far.

He underscored that high-level meetings need to continue after the constitution of the Kosovo parliament and government.

Great Britain is concerned about the reports on ethnic violence, including robberies and attacks on Serb returnees and their property, he said. Such actions must not be tolerated and perpetrators need to be found and punished, he said.

Tatham welcomed the determination of the Kosovo government and the Islamic community in Kosovo to tackle the issue of extremism and prevent Kosovo citizens from joining the lines of extremists in armed conflicts abroad.

He noted that comparisons need to be drawn between the sessions on Kosovo with regard to the achieved progress, and added that UNMIK role needs to be revised.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi noted that his country respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and understands Serbia's concerns over the Kosovo issue.

China respects the efforts of the Serbian government and Prime Minister Vucic which are aimed at finding a political solution to the Kosovo issue, he said and underscored that Resolution 1244 and the dialogue remain the key points in this regard.

He underscored that China appreciates the work of UNMIK and supports the continuation of its mandate. Presence of international forces such as EULEX, UNMIK and KFOR contributes to the search for a solution for the situation in Kosovo, the Chinese ambassador noted.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said that his country is following the dialogue which continues on the technical level, but he added that the two governments need to render a political dimension to the process.

He also pointed to the duty for Kosovo to set up a special court and make room for the work of a special investigative team having in mind the gravity of the accusations.

Ambassador of Argentina Maria Cristina Perceval underscored the fundamental role which the UN has in Kosovo with regard to the preservation of security, stability and respect of human rights.

She recalled that her country voted in favor of Resolution 1244 and continues to regard it as the international legal basis for continuation of negotiations on the political level.

When it comes to the security situation, we sincerely regret that some serious incidents have occurred, and we condemn the acts of vandalism at cemeteries and attacks on the property of Serbian Orthodox churches, she said and called on the Kosovo police to make sure such incidents never happen again.

Ambassador of Luxembourg Sylvie Lucas underscored that conditions need to be created for prompt continuation of the political dialogue and listed constitution of a special court for war crimes committed in Kosovo as one of the top priorities.