UNMIK/PR/452
PRESS RELEASE - 19 December 2000

IAC Endorses Kosovo Consolidated Budget and Other Regulations

PRISTINA---The Interim Administrative Council today endorsed the Kosovo Consolidated Budget for 2001, along with draft regulations on Pledges and Importation of Live Animals. The IAC also endorsed the draft regulation on amending Regulation 2000/21 on the Central Election Commission, which was later signed into Regulation 2000/65 by SRSG Dr. Bernard Kouchner (a separate statement is available on this).

Presenting the Kosovo Consolidated Budget for 2001, Mr. Tony-Preston Stanley, co-head, Central Fiscal Authority, explained that it provides for total recurrent and some capital expenditures of DM 739 million in public enterprises, the municipalities and the general government. This is to be financed from domestic revenues of DM 541 million and donor grants of DM 202 million, of which DM 40 million will be dedicated exclusively for electricity imports, if required. As in 2000, the majority of major capital investment will be financed through donor contribution.

SRSG briefed the members about his visit to Paris, Strasbourg and Brussels, where he had stressed the need for continuing financial assistance to Kosovo.

COMKFOR Lt. General Carlo Cabigiosu briefed the members about the Presevo Valley and urged Kosovar political parties to use their contacts to stop the violence in that region. He also briefed them about the incident in Leposavic on Saturday night.

DSRSG Andy Bearpark, who introduced the draft Regulation on Pledges, explained that this was part of the package of four economic regulations, three of which were endorsed last week on Foreign Investments, on Business Organization and on Sale of Goods. The Regulation on Pledges had been prepared to give Kosovo a modern law regulating all forms of secured transactions. The passage of this regulation and establishment of the necessary registration agency will make it possible for Kosovars to use all forms of movable property as security for loans for business or personal purposes.

The French Minister for International Cooperation, Mr. Charles Josselin, participated in the IAC and spoke of the importance that France attaches to rebuilding Kosovo. Mr. Josselin and Dr. Kouchner later went to Vushtrri/Vucitrn to open a high school rehabilitated with financial support from Rhones Alpes Region and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with French CIMIC.

It was also decided that IAC will take a three-week break and meet again on 9 January 2001.