Yesterday, as part of the agenda on facilitating the process of integration of the Kosovo Serb areas that are still in the process of integration, UNMIK chief, Lamberto Zannier, visited Kosovo's northern town, Mitrovica.

 

Before the meeting with Serbian local leaders in Mitrovica, UNMIK chief met the Mitrovica mayor, Bajram Rexhepi. Rexhepi has recently been critical of UNMIK's negligance to actively participate in the issues of the city and for not being able to fullfil the mission of integration of local Kosovo Serbs in the central public insitutions. However, Rexhepi, during his meeting with UNMIK chief, was pleased to hear the positive message and UNMIK chief's intention to facilitate the process of integration and reconfiguration of UNMIK which has been welcomed by most of the Kosovar society.

During his meeting with local Serbs in Mitrovica, Zannier explained that his job is to facilitate the process of integration of those Serbs that have not done so yet. He stressed the positive outcome of "the reconfiguration and deployment of EULEX in these areas."

Asked by local Serbs whether UNMIK chief will be initiating more negotiations regarding the status of Kosovo, Zannier stated that "Kosovo's status is resolved and negotiations regarding this issue are over. We have a new reality. A democratic government and a constitution. Integration and participation in the Kosovo insitutions could have a positive effect on every citizen, which is going to be my main mission during this transition process of UNMIK reconfiguration."

Zannier stressed that he expects a more positive message and attitude of Serbia's government to understand the new reality in Kosovo. "I am interested in facilitating all transitional and integration processes of this part of the community, and I plan to pay a visit to Serbia to relay this important message. Our goal is to set up non-status related dialogue regarding issues merely related to the daily lives of the people.” 

Prior to his visit in Mitrovica, UNMIK chief met with the Kosovo Serb members of Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo to whom he emphasized the importance of "fully integrating into the Kosovar society," expressing his gratitude to the Serbian politicians who have been actively participating in the institutions of the Kosovo government.

Kosovo Serb leaders in the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo have a strained though positive relationship with the Kosovo's executive authorities. The members have also expressed their dedication to continue to participate in the Kosovo legitimate insitutions and the respect of Kosovo Constitution, despite Serbia's pressure to not participate.

Kosovo’s Serb parliamentarians have told UNMIK chief that they will not participate on any parallel insitutions of the so called Serb Assembly, created on June 28th.

UNMIK chief, Lamberto Zannier, was recently appointed by UN Secretary General to implement the UNMIK reconfiguration and initiate dialogue between communities regarding some non-jurisdiction issues such as transportation, social development, and facilitation of integration and respect of Kosovo's new laws, particularly in the northern area.