UNMIK/PR/862
Saturday 2 November 2002

SRSG Michael Steiner and Kosovo political leaders endorse concept to bring government closer to the people

Pristina - In a gathering on Friday evening, SRSG Michael Steiner and leaders of Kosovo's Albanian and Serb political parties agreed on the need to bring Kosovo's governmental institutions closer to the people and communities they represent.

"We had a constructive discussion on how we move forward now," said SRSG Michael Steiner following the meeting. "We have reaffirmed that Kosovo must be a truly multi-ethnic society. We have agreed that all Kosovo communities will work within the institutions of Kosovo."

"To achieve this, the representatives of the majority community committed themselves to safeguard the rights of the smaller communities, including the right to security and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo. All leaders tonight strongly reaffirmed their intention to work actively in making return a reality."

"We have agreed that government should be brought closer to the people, in accordance with the Constitutional Framework and following modern European principles."

In a letter sent yesterday to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Walter Schwimmer, SRSG Michael Steiner called upon the expertise of the Council of Europe to help Kosovo develop a proposal for the decentralization of governmental institutions in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, the Constitutional Framework and modern European practice.

"Kosovo is ready to follow the European trend towards decentralizing authority to the local level," SRSG Michael Steiner wrote to Mr. Schwimmer. "The fundamental aim of decentralization is to strengthen democracy by bringing government closer to the people. This will improve the delivery of public services and provide equal benefits and services to all. It is about efficient modern administration."

"There is a need to consider the competencies of central and local authorities and redefine them where necessary. There is also a need to consider the establishment of administrative units below the municipal level."

SRSG Michael Steiner urgently requested that the Council of Europe send a mission to Kosovo to put together a plan for decentralization.

"This mission should discuss the issue with experts from the institutions and communities of Kosovo," said SRSG Michael Steiner.