30 July
SRSG Michael Steiner
addressed the Security Council in New York and underlined UNMIK's recent
progress in Kosovo and set out the tasks that are still to be
completed before discussions on the final status can begin. He emphasised
that UNMIK placed great importance on the need to meet the benchmarks.
These include building functioning democratic institutions, fighting
crime, Mitrovica, the economy, returns, and standards before status.
"While we cannot say now what shape that future status will be",
he said, "we can say what it will not be. There will be no partition,
no cantonization and no return to the status quo ante of 1999. The outcome
cannot be mono-ethnic but must be multi-ethnic. It must be a democratic,
safe and respectable Kosovo on the way to Europe," he concluded.
Before going to New York, Mr. Steiner stopped over in Paris where he
met senior French officials.
PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw
and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi went together to Prizren to inaugurate
a new construction company. Swiss-based Egibau specializes in building
materials made out of expanded polystyrol. It has previously been awarded
contracts in Italy and the US. Mr Brayshaw and the PM, in their adress
to the staff, emphasized the importance of this new company for the
region and for Kosovo. The new company already employs 30 workers, with
plans to increase this up to 150. Mr Brayshaw congratulated the investors
for having confidence in the future of Kosovo. After the ceremony the
PDSRSG and PM went on a tour of the factory and later attended a reception.
31 July
Kosovo pensioners will start receiving basic pensions of 28 euros
per month, following promulgation by SRSG Michael Steiner on 26 July
of the pensions law adopted by the Kosovo Assembly at the beginning
of the month. The law sets the rate and payment date for the basic pensions.
To receive payments pensioners will have to apply to the Kosovo Pension
Administration before 31 October. Payments are effective from 1 July
2002 or the applicant's 65th birthday, whichever is later. Those applying
after 31 October will receive pensions from the month in which the application
is made. The pension will be paid through bank accounts, which are being
opened free of charge by the Kosovo Pensions Administration. There are
thought to be up to 110,000 pensioners.
1 August
SRSG Michael Steiner visited the village of Klokot in the Gnjilane
region where five Serb houses were destroyed in a series of explosions.
After meeting with Serb families in the neighborhood, Mr. Steiner went
to Camp Bondsteel to visit two US soldiers who were injured by the blasts.
He announced the creation of a Fund for Klokot, with an initial deposit
of 50,000 euros. The fund would support projects of integration for
people in the area. "I came here directly from New York following
the Security Council meeting where we discussed the progress we have
made here….And then you see this," he said upon his arrival
at the ruined houses.
3 August
SRSG Michael Steiner
visited the Austrian city of Salzburg where he held talks with the coordinator
of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, Eberhard Busek, and the
UN High Representative for Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown. Discussions centred
on strengthening regional cooperation, including the war against organized
crime, electricity supply and return of IDPs. Mr. Steiner reported on
the results of the first conference on cigarette smuggling held in Pristina
in May and the privatization campaign for socially-owned companies in
Kosovo.
Top
of page
