SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR EFFORTS OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL STEINER IN KOSOVO

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR EFFORTS OF SPECIAL

REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL STEINER IN KOSOVO

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Special Representative of the Secretary-General Michael Steiner today completes his term as head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

During Mr. Steiner’s 18 months as the head of UNMIK, Kosovo’s first government was established; a multi-ethnic judiciary and police force has been strengthened and expanded; refugee returns have increased; and both Pristina and Belgrade are now prepared to engage in direct dialogue on practical issues of mutual interest.

Mr. Steiner also recently promulgated the Provisional Criminal Code and the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code of Kosovo, which will bring the criminal laws in Kosovo in line with international law and human rights standards.

The Secretary-General would like to express his gratitude for Mr. Steiner’s contributions to the United Nations’ efforts in Kosovo, and commend his hard work and dedication in implementing Security Council resolution 1244. 

Mr. Steiner, who has been appointed Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations Office in Geneva, is the third Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo, following Bernard Kouchner (France) and Hans Haekkerup (Denmark).

The successor to Mr. Steiner will be announced in the near future.  The Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Charles Brayshaw, will act as Officer-in-Charge in the interim.

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