During the talks with the Kosovo Force (KFOR) commander, Petersen expressed belief that the solution of the Kosovo issue would be a key to the stability and normalisation of the situation in the region, and Kammerhorff told him that the greatest challenge in his new job would be to ensure local Serbs' participation in the 23 October parliamentary elections.
At the meeting with the new chief of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), President Rugova told him that the integration of minorities in society was under way. Rugova called on all citizens of Kosovo to go to the polls on 23 October, and reiterated his position that Kosovo should be recognised as independent, which would bring peace in that part of the region.
Petersen said the entire region would benefit from the final settlement to the Kosovo issue, and advocated that more efforts should be invested in the economic development and gradual transfer of powers to local authorities.
He pledged to improve cooperation with local institutions, adding that he expected of them also to show willingness so as to solve the problem of the return of Serbs and other non-Albnanian citizens who had fled Kosovo in the past five years.
The Danish diplomat will also hold talks with representatives of the Serb community later in the day.