PRISTINA, Dec 10 (Hina) - The U.N. civil administrator in Kosovo and Kosovo's prime minister on Wednesday presented a document outlining the basic standards Kosovo institutions must meet before the start of negotiations on the final
status of the province.
PRISTINA, Dec 10 (Hina) - The U.N. civil administrator in Kosovo and
Kosovo's prime minister on Wednesday presented a document
outlining the basic standards Kosovo institutions must meet before
the start of negotiations on the final status of the province. #L#
The eight-page document, called "The Standards of Kosovo",
outlines obligations regarding the rule of law, the free movement
of all citizens, the return and reintegration of the exiled, the
economy, property rights, dialogue with authorities in Belgrade,
and the Kosovo Protection Corps.
Attending the presentation were representatives of Kosovo and
international institutions as well as political leaders but not
representatives of local Serbs.
Authorities in Belgrade and Kosovo's Serbs had said they did not
agree with the document, claiming that it was beyond the scope of
the United Nations Security Council's Resolution on Kosovo.
U.N. civil administrator Harri Holkeri said today he was sorry
Kosovo Serb representatives did not attend, but added he was
confident they would resume cooperation with the local U.N. mission
and be part of the Kosovo government in order to improve the life of
their community.
Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova said compliance with the
document's standards would prepare Kosovo for talks on its final
status, which he added would lead to independence.
Five working groups in charge of the implementation of the
standards will hold their first meetings today. The groups comprise
representatives of UNMIK and Kosovo's interim self-government.
(hina) ha