Contact Group formulates new demands for Kosovo and Serbia

Text of report by Kosovo Albanian television KohaVision TV on 29 May

[Announcer] The meeting of the Contact Group member countries and UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] chief Soeren Jessen-Petersen in Paris produced several demands for Prishtina [Pristina] and Belgrade. In the meeting, which was held last Friday [26 May], the participants discussed implementation of the Standards [set for Kosovo by the international community] by the Kosova side, as well as Belgrade's obligations towards the Kosova Serbs.

[Reporter Blerta Dalloshi] The Contact Group has asked Kosova institutions to make more progress in the 13 points dealing with Standards the Contact Group has assessed that not enough progress has been made said UNMIK chief Jessen-Petersen in a meeting with Kosova Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri, informing him in detail of the points discussed. He said the Contact Group did not make any new demands but, after the technical assessment of Standards by UNMIK, it formulated new challenges for Kosova institutions.

[Soeren Jessen-Petersen, in English throughout with Albanian voiceover] So it is really not about new demands but rather the focus on key issues. We believe more progress can be made. We did this together and it does not come as a surprise to us.

[Reporter] Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri thinks the points listed by the Contact Group where more progress is sought are achievable.

[Lutfi Haziri] So far we have not had any unattainable demands. These have to do with the role of the [Kosovo] Assembly in adopting new laws; the role of the government, institutions and Kosova people in taking necessary action in order to provide further proof that the Kosova institutions are ready to assume responsibility for the full functioning of law and order and respect for ethnic groups that are part of our diversity and part of Kosovar values.

[Reporter] The Contact Group discussed the need to send Belgrade a number of messages concerning their responsibilities.

[Jessen-Petersen] There are specifically three points; Belgrade needs to encourage the Kosova Serbs those who wish to be engaged, and there are many; they have been waiting for this for two years. Second, Belgrade needs to give up the policy under which they ask Serbs to choose between Prishtina and Belgrade. Third, for 15 months we have requested Belgrade to return cadastral registers which are also important for Kosova Serbs. So I believe the Contact Group will make these demands to Belgrade.

[Reporter] Participating in the last meeting of the Contact Group was also the deputy UN special envoy for Kosova status talks, Albert Rohan. The group did not take into consideration Belgrade's request for changes to the agenda of discussions on Kosova's status.

Source: KohaVision TV, Pristina, in Albanian 1700 gmt 29 May 06