Ban: Violence and inflamatory rhetoric in Kosovo raise concern

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed serious concerns over the violence and the inflammatory rhetoric used by the opposition in Kosovo to disrupt the functioning of the Assembly and escalate tensions in the streets, and called all those responsible to refrain from contesting democracy by violent means.

Such behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society, Ban Ki-moon steted in his regular quarterly report on the UNMIK administration, to be discussed at tomorrow's session of the UN Security Council.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić will speak at the session.

In his report on the UNMIK administrtion, covering the period from 16 October 2015 to 15 January 2016, Ban Ki-moon assessed that this development has contributed to a standstill concerning certain aspects of the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina from 19 April 2013, as well as the agreements made on 25 August 2015.

In particular, the agreed procedures and deadlines for the establishment of the Association/Community of municipalities with Serbian majority in Kosovo have not been met. Yet, the recent decision of the Constitutional Court in Pristina and the promise that the government to continue the process of establishing the Association/Community in accordance with the decision of the Court, represent an important step towards the rapid restoration of these efforts, the report said.

Accordinlgy, the UN Secretary-General called on all parties to redouble their efforts which serve the interests of all who live in Kosovo, adding that he welcomed the commitment made by both Pristina and Belgrade to continue the high-level dialogue under the EU auspices in the near future.

The report also welcomes the significant progress achieved in the integration of former Serbian civil protection personnel in the Kosovo institutions, the assessing this development to be a direct consequence of the continuation of work of both sides to ensure implementation of the agreements reached in the dialogue, and also of the continued productive communication at the local level, between the mayors of North and South Mitrovica on current issues, including those related to the municipal boundaries.

Ban Ki-moon said that the signing and ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement of Kosovo with the EU marks a milestone in its progress towards European integrations and a clear recognition of Kosovo's institutions for the work done. He called on the government and all political actors to remain committed to this path, despite the numerous short-term challenges and struggles.

The report also states that swift and decisive actions aimed at full establishment and operationalization of the Special Court is required as a proof of the fundamental commitment to the rule of law in Kosovo.

"I expect that all parties continue to work towards the rapid completion of the remaining steps, in accordance with the constitutional amendments and the laws adopted by the Kosovo Assembly in August 2015", Ban Ki-moon stated.

Ban Ki-moon particularly welcomed the initiative of the business leaders involved in the chambers of commerce of Belgrade and Pristina to put aside political issues and build a new co-operation in the business community, adding that their efforts carry a far-sighted massage.

Attached to Ban Ki-moon's report to be discussed at tomorrow's session of the UN Security Council are also the report of the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy on the activities of EULEX in the period from October 16 to January 15, and the report of Deputy Secretary-General of NATO on the international security presence in Kosovo for the period 1 October to 31 December 2015.