STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR BUI THE GIANG,

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF VIET NAM,

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON UNMIK

(23 March 2009)

 

 

Mr. President,

I thank you for convening this meeting on the activities of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) for the past four months. I thank Mr. Lamberto Zannier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his important briefing in this connection.

My Delegation welcomes the participation of H.E. Mr.Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia in today’s meeting of the Security Council, and thank him for his assessment of the situation on the ground. We also acknowledge the presence of Mr. Skender Hyseni at this meeting, and thank him for his statement.

Mr. President,

We have taken note of the overall stable security situation in and around Kosovo during the reporting period. We are, however, concerned about the fact provided by the Secretary-General in his report that the number of voluntary minority returns to Kosovo has declined sharply in comparison with previous years and remains disappointing. It is imperative to promptly and adequately address this issue, including in particular the non-implementation of the reintegration strategy for forced returnees, and ensure real progress in safeguarding the rights and security of national minorities to avoid the potentially exacerbating inter-ethnic mistrust and tension as was the case in the region of Mitrovica.

 Regarding the administration of northern Kosovo, we commend UNMIK’s efforts to engage with all sides to facilitate the implementation of the Secretary-General’s six-point plan which covers the areas of police, judiciary, boundary management, protection of religious facilities, transportation, and customs. While some of the six points have seen certain positive results recorded as reflected in the report, others will require greater political will and good-faith efforts. Given the fragility of the situation in this region, we are mindful that the possibility of a collapse of the six-point plan remains high and that loss of momentum could leave the underlying tensions between Serbs and Albanians open to manipulation by spoilers. We, therefore, hold that it is essential for UNMIK to continue its active presence and for both Belgrade and Pristina to implement the temporary arrangements in the six areas until relevant follow-up mechanisms have been put in place to maintain peace and stability on the ground.

Against this background, while reiterating Viet Nam’s position in support of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, my Delegation shares and supports the Secretary-General’s view that UNMIK will continue working towards the advancement of regional stability and prosperity, based on its continued mandate under Resolution 1244 (1999), in close coordination with the OSCE and KFOR and in cooperation with authorities in Belgrade and Pristina. Among its main functions, facilitation of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade should be underlined.

Mr. President,

Regarding UNMIK’s reconfiguration in the rule of law sector, we recognize its accelerated efforts in consultation with the main stakeholders on the ground, and the gradual and smooth assumption of operational responsibility by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in this area in line with the Security Council’s Presidential Statement of 26 November 2008. We acknowledge EULEX’s readiness to participate alongside UNMIK in the discussions related to rule of law issues. At the same time, we wish to emphasize that the reconfiguration of UNMIK should be conducted in transparency and in respect for the U.N.'s position on strict neutrality regarding Kosovo's status, and that the coordinated effort undertaken by UNMIK and EULEX, and with the support of both Belgrade and Pristina and of all international stakeholders at this critical juncture, is of great importance to the maintenance of peace and stability in Kosovo and to the interest of all communities thereof. For this to become a reality, EULEX, which works under the general framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), should continue honoring its commitment to operate under the overall authority and within the status-neutral framework of the UN and take into account the specific circumstances and concerns of all communities.

I thank you, Mr. President.