UN RADIO IN KOSOVO

One day in life of Mr.Rucker

By Arta PLANA

Hello and welcome, this is UN Radio in Kosovo …

Joachim Rucker received the post as Deputy Special Representative General of UNMIK EU Pillar on the 1st of February in year 2005. Rucker's expertise will certainly be challenged and come in handy, from 2002 he was Commissioner for Finance as Head of Budget and Finance at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. It is also worth mentioning that Mr. Rucker was a Mayor of the city of Sindelfingen in Germany for 8 years, from 1993.

Joachim Rucker is married and has three children.

Natural sound: good morning etc….

Head of Pilar IV Joachim Rucker took his new post in Kosovo on the 1st February 2005. Now, after spending nearly two months in Pristina, his impressions are still positive, as he described.

“I think it is a great challenge, but I am absolutely confident that we can solve, if not all the problems, at least some of the problems,” Rucker explained to UN Radio.

The economy of Kosovo is very fragile and Rücker is going to face serious challenges.

Cut 1 With employment in magnitude, which we have in Kosovo, it is hard to imagine further ditioriation but of course the labor market is one of the most difficult problems it will only proof the situation of on the labor market if we have very significant growth weights.

In his efforts to improve the economic situation in Kosovo Rucker is aware that the media should play a huge role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing all the necessary resources. Kosovo has a number of young and dedicated journalists, Rucker believes, that is a real asset in Kosovo.

Cut 2 I try to make a positive contribution that would be my aim but the yard stick that you have to apply is the people of Kosovo because we are not here for the sake of ourselves, not unmik, not eu pillar not the government, but we are here to make life of people in Kosovo better.

The special focus of the new EU head in Kosovo will be the energy sector, as one of the most important segments and preconditions for improvement of Kosovo economy.

Cut 3 Focus has to be the energy and the electricity sector because electricity and power supply of course is the back bone of the economy so I am focusing on Kek how to improve the revenue collection, I know the political implications that this has so yes I am focusing on this, and also I am focusing together with PISG attracting as much investment as possible of generating savings so the savings can be the investments in Kosovo.

Joachim Rucker stressed that the privatization process in Kosovo has an important role in facilitating the overall economical development and improvement in living standards.

Cut 4 It is an ambitious goal but I would say we should try to sell most of the Socially owned enterprises assets within one year I think what is important when you sign a sales contract is that was a due diligence process, and as long that we had a due diligence process which I was satisfied about then I have no problem signing.

New head of EU Pillar told UN Radio that he plans to stay in Kosovo for at least two years.

Cut 5 I was counting at least on being here for two years if not more because I think you have to have a period where you listen and learn so I think to really make an impact you have to be here for a longer period, which I intend to. it is a tough job but you know I was not forced to come here I came voluntarily and I like challenges.

And with this we end today’s program. Thank for listening top UNMIK Radio and stay tuned.