UNMIK/PR/1036
Saturday, 20 September 2003

SRSG Harri Holkeri meets with local leaders on the dialogue before leaving for New York

PRISTINA - The SRSG, Harri Holkeri, has briefed the political leaders of Kosovo on the latest round of talks and consultations, which he held with Quint representatives in Pristina and with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, in Rome this week.

On Friday evening, the SRSG hosted a dinner with the President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, and with party leaders Ramush Haradinaj, Hashim Thaci and Assembly President, Nexhat Daci.

He also hosted breakfast the following day with the leader of Coalition Povratak, Dragisa Krstovic, the Inter-ministerial Coordinator for Returns, Milorad Todorovic and Minister of Agriculture, Goran Bogdanovic.

At these meetings, the SRSG outlined his views on the progress towards dialogue and emphasised the importance of partnership within PISG institutions, particularly via consultation with the Prime Minister. He also noted the necessity of transparency in dealings between party leaders and representatives of minority communities present in Kosovo.

The SRSG is expected to meet with the Contact Group next Tuesday, 23 September in New York.