Ban concerned over political deadlock in Pristina


NEW YORK - In the latest report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the political deadlock in Pristina and urged Kosovo's leaders to intensify efforts to find a solution and resume the dialogue with Belgrade as soon as possible.

"I am particularly concerned by the protracted political deadlock in Pristina and its potential negative impact on the progress achieved thus far in strengthening democratic institutions and processes in Kosovo," Ban said in the report, which will be discussed by the UN Security Council on November 13.

"I strongly urge all of Kosovo's political entities, and especially their leaders, to intensify efforts to build on the success of the 8 June election and ensure that the current impasse is overcome," says the document on UNMIK activities in the period from July 16 to October 15, published on the UN website.

"This generation of leaders must continue the historic process of normalisation with Belgrade, reconcile with the past, make use of the opportunities presented by the stabilisation and association talks with the European Union and continue structural reforms," Ban noted.

"I congratulate both the Kosovo authorities and the Government of Serbia on the progress towards a common European future. In this light, I encourage the earliest resumption of the high-level meetings on normalisation of relations, facilitated by the European Union," Ban said.

In its 2014 progress report for Serbia, published in October, the European Commission noted that progress in the normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina ties is "essential for advancing the European future of both sides," Ban said.

He said that the technical talks have continued and that certain progress has been achieved in integrated management of crossing points, telecommunications, energy and freedom of movement.

"The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) registered 177 individual voluntary returnees to Kosovo during July, August and September 2014, 45 of whom were Kosovo Serbs, 115 Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Ashkali and Kosovo Egyptians, 3 Kosovo Gorani, 1 Montenegrin and 13 Kosovo Albanians," Ban said .

"The total number of internally displaced persons residing within Kosovo was 17,227, the majority of whom are Kosovo Serbs", the report says.