Скачать или смотреть MaximsNewsNetwork: KOSOVO: UPCOMING ELECTIONS "CRUCIAL", UN SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD

WorldLeadersTV: KOSOVO: UPCOMING ELECTIONS "CRUCIAL", UN SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD

MaximsNewsNetwork: 29 August 2013: UNTV: United Nations, New York - The head of the United Nations (UN) mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said that it was "crucial" that the upcoming elections in November succeed "in delivering viable local authority." Addressing the UN Security Council today (29 August), Farid Zarif said that "full participation" in the local elections was encouraged, particularly in the northern municipalities, where "local authority has long lingered in dispute and controversy."

Earlier this year (19 April) an agreement was brokered in Brussels by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The agreement represented a first step toward normalization of relations and contained provisions allowing ethnic Serbs living in Kosovo's north access to their own police and appeals court.

The agreement also envisaged holding of local elections this year in municipalities of northern Kosovo with the facilitation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Farid Zarif said it was "essential" that the parties kept their focus on the implementation of what had been agreed "without introducing additional fundamental issues which are, at present, outside the agenda of the political dialogue."

Farid Zarif also warned that "doing otherwise may put at risk the progress achieved thus far."

Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Mrkic told the United Nations Security Council that the implementation of the agreements "may not be possible without an active participation by the United Nations."

Noting the "enormous efforts" invested by Serbia in finding solutions acceptable to all sides, Ivan Mrkic said "we would like to see -which we don't the other side investing efforts to bring about very necessary changes in the field."

The representative of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj said that it was important to acknowledge that UNMIK no longer had a role to play in Kosovo, adding that it was time for the Council to consider transforming the UNMIK mission into a UN political office which would coordinate all UN agencies, funds and programmes.

Enver Hoxhaj also said that the most important function the UN could play in Kosovo was "to support us in preparation for admission into the United Nations."

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 following years of ethnic tensions, but Serbia has not recognized the declaration. Since then, the European Union has been facilitating dialogue between the parties on a range of practical matters.

UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION: UNTV, New York

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