Secretary-General Welcomes Second Round of Municipal Elections in Kosovo

as ‘Milestone for Normalization Process between Belgrade and Pristina’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the peaceful conduct of the second round of local elections in Kosovo on 1 December and is encouraged by the positive initial reports from local and international observers as well as the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).  He stresses that the successful holding of local elections throughout Kosovo constitutes a milestone for both the normalization process between Belgrade and Pristina and the enhancement of democratic institutions in Kosovo.

The Secretary-General calls on actors at all levels to build upon the success of these elections.  He urges the parties to continue to engage constructively in the European Union-facilitated dialogue, with a view to implementing, in a timely and faithful manner, all provisions of the 19 April agreement, including the establishment of the Association/ Community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo and the integration of police and judiciary structures in northern Kosovo.  He underlines the importance of the continued progress in the dialogue

* *** *

For information media • not an official record