The first post-independence debate at the Security Council (SC) on Kosovo was lively, Kosovo newspapers report.

While a number of SC Members, led by Russia, continue to oppose Kosovo’s independence, supporters of independence, led by the US, emphasized that independence is now a done deal, and that the process has to continue with the transfer of competencies from UNMIK to local authorities. US Ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalizad, stated after the debate that world powers are now trying to find an agreement on how to transfer UNMIK’s reserved competencies to Kosovo local institutions and the new European missions.

“There is a need for an agreement as Kosovo is moving forward with implementing Ahtisaari’s plan. When the constitution in Kosovo enters into force on June 15, there has to be a clear agreement on the transfer of competences both for the ICO and for UNMIK, but keeping in mind that resolution 1244 still remains relevant,” Khalizad is quoted as saying.

Zëri reports that despite the division in the SC over the UN mission in Kosovo, the most powerful Western countries say that on June 15 UNMIK has to relinquish its political leverage.