UN chief hints EU may decide on Kosovo

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon submitted his quarterly report to the Security Council Monday.

Izvor: AP

Tuesday, 01.01.2008.

13:08

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon submitted his quarterly report to the Security Council Monday. The political impasse over Kosovo's future cannot last much longer without "putting at serious risk" all the United Nations has achieved there, Ban cautioned Security Council members, the AP reports. UN chief hints EU may decide on Kosovo Ban's report to the council painted a tense portrait of daily life in Kosovo. "Expectations in Kosovo remain high that a solution to Kosovo's future status must be found rapidly. As such, the status quo is not likely to be sustainable," Ban said. "Should the impasse continue, events on the ground could take on a momentum of their own, putting at serious risk the achievements and legacy of the United Nations in Kosovo." In his report about Kosovo between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, Ban said the simmering ethnic conflicts could spill over into the region. "Uncertainty and a loss of forward dynamic in the future status process could create a risk of instability, both in Kosovo and in the wider region, as well as a potential risk to the safety of UN staff," he reported. A four-month extension of talks between Belgrade and Pristina ended last month without agreement. Still Ban saw some reasons for encouragement. He said Kosovo's parliamentary elections last month "were conducted in a free and fair manner and in accordance with international standards." But he said he regretted that Kosovo Serbs do not feel represented and "instead continue to depend on parallel structures for the provision of basic services, which are supported by the authorities in Belgrade." Ban suggested that Kosovo's future may be decided in Europe rather than at the UN headquarters in New York. "The European Union's growing institutional commitment to Kosovo is important, as is its continuing provision of a European perspective to Kosovo," said Ban. Earlier this month, the AP says, hopes dimmed for an agreement from Security Council over Kosovo's future, with Western diplomats saying negotiations were deadlocked and talks were most likely to continue in European capitals.

UN chief hints EU may decide on Kosovo

Ban's report to the council painted a tense portrait of daily life in Kosovo.

"Expectations in Kosovo remain high that a solution to Kosovo's future status must be found rapidly. As such, the status quo is not likely to be sustainable," Ban said.

"Should the impasse continue, events on the ground could take on a momentum of their own, putting at serious risk the achievements and legacy of the United Nations in Kosovo."

In his report about Kosovo between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, Ban said the simmering ethnic conflicts could spill over into the region.

"Uncertainty and a loss of forward dynamic in the future status process could create a risk of instability, both in Kosovo and in the wider region, as well as a potential risk to the safety of UN staff," he reported.

A four-month extension of talks between Belgrade and Priština ended last month without agreement.

Still Ban saw some reasons for encouragement. He said Kosovo's parliamentary elections last month "were conducted in a free and fair manner and in accordance with international standards."

But he said he regretted that Kosovo Serbs do not feel represented and "instead continue to depend on parallel structures for the provision of basic services, which are supported by the authorities in Belgrade."

Ban suggested that Kosovo's future may be decided in Europe rather than at the UN headquarters in New York.

"The European Union's growing institutional commitment to Kosovo is important, as is its continuing provision of a European perspective to Kosovo," said Ban.

Earlier this month, the AP says, hopes dimmed for an agreement from Security Council over Kosovo's future, with Western diplomats saying negotiations were deadlocked and talks were most likely to continue in European capitals.

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