Petersen said this at his first news conference in Pristina on Tuesday.
The definition of Kosovo's status is absolutely necessary for the stability of the region, Petersen said and added that it will most probably be carried out over a short period of time.
The ball is currently in the court of Kosovo's interim self-government institutions, the UN official said and added that UNMIK would improve cooperation with Kosovo institutions. He also highlighted that it was important that all communities take part in the coming elections in Kosovo.
The head of the Serb coalition Povratak, Dragisa Krstovic, said that Petersen assured him that his priority for the Serb community in Kosovo was the freedom of movement, security and the return of displaced people.