UN chief urges Pristina to set up war crimes court

UN chief urges Pristina to set up war crimes court

Ban welcomed the constitution of the Kosovo Assembly and the formation of the new government in Pristina, adding that “with key institutions in place, the Kosovo authorities should now move forward in addressing the many challenges still facing Kosovo.”

"One important step would be for the government and the Assembly to move swiftly on the adoption of the legislation concerning the establishment of a special court to try cases arising from the findings of the European Union Special Investigative Task Force, as agreed between Kosovo and the European Union,” Ban said in his regular quarterly report published on the UN official web site.

He urged Kosovo's political leaders to “redouble their efforts in strengthening a broad public understanding and consensus around this issue, given its importance to Kosovo's future.”

"Sustained efforts should also continue in respect of the rule of law and in promoting genuine long-term reconciliation among Kosovo's communities,” the UN secretary-general said.

He also urged Belgrade and Pristina to engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue fully, earnestly and as soon as possible at the leadership level.

"This will be crucial in sustaining the engagement at the technical level and in moving forward on the implementation of the outstanding provisions of the 19 April 2013 agreement," said Ban, adding that "the core issue in this respect remains the establishment, in accordance with the agreement, of the association/community of Serb municipalities."

Ban expressed concern over the “reports of population outflow from Kosovo during recent months”.

The UN secretary-general welcomed “the swift steps taken by the European Union to address corruption allegations within EULEX.”

"It is important that these allegations not be used to undermine the important role that EULEX still plays in Kosovo and that all parties continue to fully cooperate with that body," he said.

“UNMIK continued its active facilitation role between communities and officials in northern Kosovo, as well as with international organizations and Kosovo authorities. It focused in particular on efforts aimed at preventing and reducing tensions and promoting cooperation among local authorities, in particular in North and South Mitrovica,” the report states.

Ban pointed out that “the overall security situation in Kosovo remained stable during the reporting period, although some increase in the number of incidents in the ethnically mixed areas was observed.”

“The responsible authorities in Belgrade and Pristina continued to pursue new sources of information and conduct investigations with respect to 1,655 remaining missing persons from the period from 1998 to 2000,” the UN secretary-general noted.

The report covering the period from October 16, 2014 to January 15, 2015, will be discussed at the UN Security Council session scheduled for February 6.

According to announcements, Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic will also attend the session.