Tanin: Time for a new momentum in the Dialogue

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin said at today's session of the UN Security Council on Kosovo that he noted conciliatory messages of the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, and concluded now was the time to build a new momentum in the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština.

"At this moment, with electoral processes nearly concluded on both sides, it appears to be a time to re-energise the talks and build new momentum. I believe this must remain a central objective on both the EU and UN agendas during the coming months," Tanin underscored. He expressed hope that the peaceful transition of power would offer more room for energy to be spent on other fundamental challenges.

Tanin added that UNMIK no longer administered Kosovo, but that it could act as a bridge between the UNSC and the people in Kosovo and in the region.

According to him, the establishment of the Community of Serb Majority Municipalities in Kosovo, ever since it was first agreed in April 2013, has often been subject to misinterpretation. Tanin quoted EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, who said that the Community represented a step towards a stronger Kosovo, not a weaker one, and a more stable region.

"It was agreed by both sides, at the highest level, in order to allow for the integration of the Serbian community into public life. During his inaugural address, Thaçi stressed themes of reconciliation, and spoke of the difficulty but also the necessity of leaving the past behind," Tanin said, adding that the dialogue was an essential step in the process.

The UNMIK Head pointed out that Kosovo was still facing the hard reality of unemployment and a poorly developed economy.

He recalled that the EU had recently proposed a visa-free regime with Kosovo. At the same time, however, Brussels made it clear to Priština that it was expected to make progress in many areas.

"For Priština and for Belgrade, EU integration is closely linked with the high-level Dialogue process. The capacity to meet the standards of integration directly reinforces the capacity for dialogue and for other important channels of mutual cooperation. Kosovo's recent advancement in its European perspective should reinforce and enhance the dialogue process, which is fundamental to Kosovo and the region," Tanin stated.