Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council briefing on Kosovo

Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council briefing on Kosovo

Check against delivery

Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council briefing on Kosovo

(25 August 2016)

Mr. President,

I thank Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Kosovo and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
Mr. Zahir Tanin for his briefing on the situation in Kosovo and assure him yet again of our full support.

I also thank First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Ivica Dačić, and Ms. Vlora Çitaku for their statements.

Mr. President,

My delegation took note of the conclusions and observations of the Secretary-General’s report on UNMIK as well as today’s briefing about developments in the political and security situation on the territory of Kosovo.

Ukraine welcomes the reported improvements in political conditions in Kosovo, “accompanied by a significant decrease in the pattern of protests, aggressive actions and disruptive tactics by various parties”.

At the same time we regret that the practical implementation of agreements reached under the EU-facilitated dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina has not moved forward as significantly as we could have expected. Ukraine actively supports the pursuit of political dialogue between the two sides under European Union auspices. In our view there’s no alternative of the cooperation within the Brussels process. We hope that the implementation of Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo could be a factor for further stabilization of the situation and will promote better atmosphere of talks between Belgrade and Pristina.

In this regard we fully support the Secretary-General’s call upon both sides not only to resume their engagement, but to show renewed creativity, flexibility and readiness for compromise in order to decisively anchor Kosovo and the broader region on a path of stability and development.

I also call on Belgrade and Pristina to put aside existing differences and to concentrate upon such issues as implementation of agreements on energy and telecommunications; opening of the Mitrovica bridge; establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities etc. These particular issues could serve as an impetus for further constructive dialogue.

Ukraine believes that it is the very right moment to redouble efforts in fulfilling the provisions of the agreements of 19 April 2013 and 25 August 2015.

Mr. President,

Ukraine holds that another issue the parties should pay special attention to is the safe and sustainable return of refugees and IDPs.

As you all know this problem is very much applicable to Ukraine. Due to the Russian aggression and occupation we already have more than 1.8 million of IDPs. My country makes everything possible to solve this issue and we fully support the approach of the Secretary-General that “the rights of those who wish to return to their places of origin should be met”. We believe that this is an important precondition for durable reconciliation between Belgrade and Pristina.

Special attention should also be paid to the continuous assaults on cultural and religious heritage of non-majority communities, which can further poison inter-ethnic relations. Ukraine is convinced that the solution of these problems will promote further political stability in Kosovo.

Mr. President,

Ukraine strongly supports the important work carried out by the UNMIK and other international missions operating in Kosovo in promotion of reconciliation, transitional justice, human rights and support to the normalization process between Belgrade and Pristina.

In this regard we welcome the extension of the mandate of EULEX for another 2 years. The decision taken by the EU Council this June is essential for further effective work of international mechanisms for political stabilization and inter-community reconciliation.

I thank you.