Upon landing at Pristina's airport, Petersen said the only way for Kosovo was peace and defining its political status.
He added Kosovo was the last piece of the Balkan mosaic that had to be pulled out of wars and conflicts and directed towards peace, prosperity and European integration. Referring to his 15-year experience in the Balkans, he said there could be no peace or stability in the region unless the Kosovo issue was resolved.
Petersen pledged the local United Nations Mission and local institutions would work together on the realisation of those aspirations.
Tomorrow he is due to meet Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova and Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, as well as representatives of the Serb coalition Povratak. One of Petersen's first challenges in Kosovo will be to convince local Serbs to take part in parliamentary elections scheduled for October 23.