Виступ делегації України на засіданні РБ ООН щодо ситуації в Косово

Mr. President,

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo Mr. Zahir Tanin for his briefing. It clearly outlines political challenges in Kosovo after the early legislative elections as well as a number of issues relevant to the stability and well-being of the Kosovo residents.

I am also grateful to His Excellency Mr. Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and Ms. Vlora Çitaku for their statements.

Mr. President,

Ukraine regrets that the political situation in Kosovo remains the matter of concern due to inability of political groups to reach an agreement on distribution of posts, which is a necessary precondition of an effective administration.

This stalemate creates unnecessary tensions and could undermine efforts aimed at preserving peace and stability in the region.

We commend the attention of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States to this issue as it’s seen from their joint statement of 13 August.

We call on the leaders of Kosovo to show unity and to prove the readiness to meet the immediate and long-term challenges, including economic development, energy situation, strengthening the rule of law, relations with Serbia etc.

Ukraine also hopes that new authorities will prioritize the implementation of the agreements concluded in the framework of the EU-led dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, including on the establishment of the association of Serb-majority municipalities, on judicial integration, on protection of fundamental rights and freedoms etc.

We encourage the leadership in Belgrade and in Pristina to show responsibility and to re-engage in a constructive dialogue to achieve progress in the normalisation of their bilateral relations, which is essential for both, but first and foremost, for the Kosovo residents. No nationalistic and divisive discourse will do any good to the region.

Mr. President,

Ukraine welcomes the resumption of the high-level EU-facilitated dialogue and the meetin