"Kosovo no multi-ethnic society"

The OSCE representative in Pristina says Kosovo "could not be called a multi-ethnic society". A Beta news agency report quoted Tim Guldimann, head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, as saying on Monday that Kosovo today is "not what we could call a multi-ethnic society". "Kosovo no multi-ethnic society" "Different communities live in Kosovo, but a multi-ethnic society means integration, mutual understanding, tolerance and cohabitation. We do not see this," he stated. Presenting a new OSCE report on human rights, ethnic relations and democracy in Kosovo for the period from the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2008, Guldimann said that, when giving the opinion, he had in mind that the concept of a multi-ethnic society had rules that had to be observed. In it, the members of different communities should live alongside one another, he stated, adding that time would be needed to achieve this goal. "There have been radical changes in Kosovo over the last ten years, and during this time we have a completely different situation. No one should expect miracles in such a short time," the head of the OSCE mission added. When it comes to the return of members of the Serb community, the question if there are conditions for Serbs to view their future in Kosovo as safe and if they trust Kosovo institutions needs to be answered, according to Guldimann. The report, available for download here, stated that, despite the fundamental political changes in Kosovo during the first half of 2008, the political and security situation had been "extremely stable".

"Kosovo no multi-ethnic society"

"Different communities live in Kosovo, but a multi-ethnic society means integration, mutual understanding, tolerance and cohabitation. We do not see this," he stated.

Presenting a new OSCE report on human rights, ethnic relations and democracy in Kosovo for the period from the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2008, Guldimann said that, when giving the opinion, he had in mind that the concept of a multi-ethnic society had rules that had to be observed.

In it, the members of different communities should live alongside one another, he stated, adding that time would be needed to achieve this goal.

"There have been radical changes in Kosovo over the last ten years, and during this time we have a completely different situation. No one should expect miracles in such a short time," the head of the OSCE mission added.

When it comes to the return of members of the Serb community, the question if there are conditions for Serbs to view their future in Kosovo as safe and if they trust Kosovo institutions needs to be answered, according to Guldimann.

The report, available for download here, stated that, despite the fundamental political changes in Kosovo during the first half of 2008, the political and security situation had been "extremely stable".