LJUBLJANA, Sept 29 (Hina) - The UN civilian administrator to Kosovo, Michael Steiner, visited Slovenia for two days, during which he invited Slovene business people to invest in Kosovo and participate in the privatisation soon to
commence in the Yugoslav province, in which state companies would be sold, but not state property, since Kosovo's future status was as yet unknown.
LJUBLJANA, Sept 29 (Hina) - The UN civilian administrator to
Kosovo, Michael Steiner, visited Slovenia for two days, during
which he invited Slovene business people to invest in Kosovo and
participate in the privatisation soon to commence in the Yugoslav
province, in which state companies would be sold, but not state
property, since Kosovo's future status was as yet unknown. #L#
So far a total of two billion dollars of donations have been
invested into Kosovo and two thirds of the path towards securing
permanent peace have been completed, but the most difficult is yet
to come, Steiner told Slovene's daily "Delo". He added that the
issue was about creating an economy, a rule of law and mechanisms to
transfer authority to Kosovo institutions after the completion of
the UN Mission's mandate.
People must know that the war is truly over and that they need not be
afraid any more. Rather, they should concentrate on other issues,
such as employment and the development of economy, Steiner said,
inviting Slovene investors to Kosovo.
One of the possibilities is privatisation in telecommunications,
Steiner said, adding that the UN Mission (UNMIK) would not allow the
privatisation process in Kosovo to be used for money laundering. He
also advocated lowering customs tariffs among countries within the
Stability Pact or countries supporting the process.
In trade with Kosovo, Slovenia should introduce the same agreements
it had signed with Yugoslavia, an agreement on stimulating and
protecting investments, and an agreement on free trade, Steiner
said.
(hina) lml