Implementation of Standards "proceeding well" - Kosovo official

Excerpt from report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive

Prishtina [Pristina], 21 June: Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi will report to the parliament on Thursday [23 June] about the implementation of the Standards, government coordinator for Standards Avni Arifi told KosovaLive today. The report will be comprehensive and will address the entire process. [Passage omitted]

The implementation of Standards is proceeding well, he said. He stressed that much progress has been marked, but work still remains. He also said that the greatest achievements were made in the area of "priority Standards" which were set by the international community and accepted by the government.

"We have a growing cooperation with UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] in the implementation of Standards concerning the rule of law and economy, which are the responsibilities of the first and fourth pillars of UNMIK," Arifi said. He added that local and central government institutions in Kosova have made "progress in the Standard of returns and that of freedom of movement".

Arifi said that, based on these achievements, the Kosova [Kosovo] government is optimistic about the evaluation that will be made by Kai Eide, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy for the evaluation of the Standards. "We are aware that Standards will not be completely implemented by the end of this summer or by the end of next summer," said Arifi. Prerequisites for the commencement of dialogue on Kosova's final status, however, will be met on time, he said. [Passage omitted]

Source: KosovaLive web site, Pristina, in English 21 Jun 05