By Valon A. Syla

Hello and Welcome. You are listening to UNMIK on Air with Jackson Allers and Valon Syla.

With the arrival of UNMIK’s new SRSG, Kosovans are demanding changes; Albanians are asking for a clearer definition of Kosovo’s status – Serbs for the improvement of security and non-Serb minorities simply want more inclusion in Kosovo society.

UNMIK On-Air talked to several Kosovans about the newly arrived SRSG, Danish diplomat, Søren Jessen-Petersen, and the overall question raised by those interviewed - does Jessen-Petersen’s arrival mean actual change in Kosovo?

JESSEN-PETERSON: “We have to show that we are here to move the process forward, rather than slowing it down or, as some wrongly perceive it, here to block it. I am determined to provide leadership in this effort, but I evidently need your total support. Each and every one of you here today and throughout the mission area has a role to play and clearly a contribution to make.”

Jessen-Peterson says – “he is determined to bring a new sense of purpose, and a new sense of direction to the mission.” He has emphasized that a clearer definition of Kosovo’s status would be beneficial for the entire region, but adds - it is necessary to regain the confidence of Kosovo’s minorities.

Sound of Café-Bar

Xhevdet:“I think that the new SRSG should work on finding a solution for Kosovo’s final status, because I think that this issue interlocks with many of the problems that today we are facing like: the economy, privatization and other issues…”

Xhevdet is a 28-year-old Kosovo Albanian who works as a waiter in one of Prishtina’s restaurants. His opinion is the most common view expressed by the local majority who think that by resolving Kosovo’s status, many of the other issues will be resolved.

Serbs, on the other hand, have different demands. Sreten Nedeljkoviq is a Kosovo-Serb from Gracanica:

Nedeljkoviq: “I'd like to suggest to him not to be for the Albanian side or for the Serb side ... to be equal, the same on policy is what I suggest. The same rules should apply to everyone in Kosovo and should not be biased. Then all of us that are still here will stay, like our ancestors who have lived here for centuries, otherwise - all of us will fly away. “

Sound of Pristina Street Action

Economically speaking, an issue that Kosovans see is of key importance is the reduction of unemployment – which local NGO Riinvest estimates is at around 60%.

UNMIK On-Air found Arben near Prishtina’s city center asking for job.

Arben: “The Privatization process should continue and because I think these are first steps towards employment especially of the younger generations”

Sound of (Taxi Drivers)

Older generations interviewed for this segment seemed to be more patient than the youth – something to be expected perhaps.

53 year-old Emin works as a taxi driver on Mother Theresa Boulevard in Prishtina. He says – waiting for hours in the heat hoping for a customer is not uncommon. Emin hadn’t taken a fare for several hours when UNMIK On-Air spoke with him:

Emin ’53 (Taxi Driver): “The people of Kosovo have struggled a lot but still I think we are prudent… I would first suggest that the new SRSG attempt to understand the people and their needs, and help us with the competencies that he has.”

Sounds of Ice Cream Vendor

Just few meters from the taxicabs was 62-year-old Zeqir - an ice-cream peddler. He says the SRSG should be aware that the idea of Standards is not necessarily a new thing for Kosovans.

Zeqiri 62 – “I want to say the to the SRSG, that the Standards that are being mentioned by UNMIK and the Kosovo Government were mentioned even in centuries past, during the time of the Serbian King – well, people were working on them even then. Because when the King made the law… there were the same standards, the same statements that ‘nobody is above the law’… this is a false statement, because those who say it are above the law… and the people are in the position of a fish washed on the boundaries of the shore – floundering as to which way to go.”

Sound of Gas Generators

With daily power cuts still a reality and generators humming as mechanical reminders for all Kosovans – many people interviewed by UNMIK On-Air want the new SRSG to resolve the energy problems.

For others there were more pressing concerns:

Liridon (31): “After solving the unemployment issue, which is the first thing, I would suggest to the SRSG that he work on recognizing our travel documents and secure proper Visa status so we could be more close to Europe, and to practice our right to move freely.”

Vahide (35): “Health, Police, the Judiciary, and Education these are the issues that I think should be given priority, and which would have an impact on creating a democratic society here in Kosovo – this is what I would suggest to the SRSG.”

Although the suggestions to SRSG Jessen-Petterson were wide reaching in their scope, not all those interviewed were concerned with unemployment or rule of law issues. Take Ylli a young student from Prishtina, who remembered the former SRSG Harri Holkeri’s sudden departure some months after launching the Standards Before Status Campaign.

Ylli ’25 (Student) – “The first thing I would suggest to the new SRSG is to take care of his health, as other SRSG’s have left citing health concerns as their reasons for leaving.”

Undoubtedly, the mood by both all those interviewed was that SRSG Soren Jessen-Petterson has his work cut out for him in the coming months.

And this concludes this edition of UNMIK on Air, thanks for listening,