UNMIK/PR/866
Tuesday, 12 November 2002

SRSG Michael Steiner meets with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and FM Joschka Fischer

Berlin - SRSG Michael Steiner today met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The talks were held in a very friendly atmosphere and the Chancellor reaffirmed the SRSG of his full support.

Earlier in the day Michael Steiner had met with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. The two discussed the situation in Kosovo after the local elections and the concept of decentralisation. They especially focused on the necessary improvements in the economy and the overall security situation in Kosovo.

Fischer said he had "great interest that the reconstruction process of a multiethnic Kosovo be moved forward". Regional questions, including Belgrade, were discussed before they focused on the European perspectives of Kosovo.

The Foreign Minister stressed that "Steiner does an invaluable, very good job in Kosovo."

On Tuesday night the SRSG delivered a well received speech at the Humboldt-University in Berlin, talking about the "3 kinds of Kosovo"

On Wednesday Michael Steiner will meet with the Interior Minister Otto Schilly, to speak about the Kosovans of all ethnicities living in Germany.