UN chief warns implementation of Kosovo deals is "slow"

UN chief warns implementation of Kosovo deals is "slow"

"Much work remains to be done in Kosovo to promote greater tolerance and reconciliation among its communities, to ensure the protection of minority rights, to facilitate the return of the displaced, to uphold their property rights and to safeguard religious traditions without impediment or stigma," Ban wrote in the report, which covers the period from January 16 to April 15, 2016 and will be presented at a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

"I am pleased to note the commitments expressed by the President and the Prime Minister (of Kosovo) to the process of normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina taking place under the auspices of the European Union, and to achieving the full implementation of the agreements already reached, in particular regarding the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo," he wrote.

"Nevertheless, I note with concern the slow pace of implementation during the past 12 months and hope that the positive steps already taken under European Union facilitation will be matched by energetic efforts to complete the remaining steps, and also to tackle further subjects in the near future," reads Ban's report, published on the UN website.

Dacic to attend

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will on Monday attend a UN Security Council meeting in New York on the work of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

The Security Council will discuss UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on UNMIK for the period from January 16 to April 15, 2016, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

In his address, Dacic will reflect on Ban's report, presenting Serbia's assessment of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the work of UNMIK.