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UNMIK/PR/625
SRSG and COMKFOR meet Covic at Merdare PRISTINA - Today, at Gate 3, SRSG Hans Haekkerup and COMKFOR Lieutenant General Thorstein Skiaker met with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, where they had a constructive and lengthy conversation on a range of issues pertaining to the implementation of UNSCR 1244 (1999). SRSG and COMKFOR welcomed the recent appointment of Dr. Covic by the Federal and Serbian governments and look forward to working with him. The SRSG and COMKFOR assured Dr. Covic that both UNMIK and KFOR would facilitate the work of Dr. Covic in his capacity as President of the FRY/Serbian Joint Coordination Center to the maximum extent. SRSG Haekkerup and COMKFOR Lieutenant Gen. Skiaker underlined the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 1244 throughout Kosovo, especially the need for ensuring that no parallel security as well as administrative structures were present in Kosovo. Following the visit by the UN Security Council to Kosovo as well as the special session of the NAC on Mitrovica, they stressed the need for progress with regard to Mitrovica and northern Kosovo. SRSG and COMKFOR welcomed the positive attitude of the Belgrade governments regarding the voter registration for the upcoming Kosovo-wide elections and encouraged full participation by the Serb community in those elections. SRSG and COMKFOR informed Dr. Covic on recent developments with regard to Serb returns as well as efforts to shed light on the fate of missing persons. There was agreement that all people in Kosovo had the right to live in safety and security and that there was no place for those who used violence to further their aims. Mr. Haekkerup and Lieutenant Gen. Skiaker are looking forward to a continued constructive dialogue with Dr. Covic. |