Head of Mission welcomes certification of Kosovo Serb citizens' initiative
Ambassador Daan Everts, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 24 September 2001 (OSCE) - A Kosovo Serb citizens' initiative has been certified to take part in the 2001 Assembly Election by the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Today's decision was welcomed by the CEC chairman and OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Daan Everts who said the citizens' initiative is representative of all Kosovo's Serb communities - both inside and outside Kosovo.
Known as Koalicija Povratak (Coalition Return), the citizens' initiative is backed by more than 20 different groups, including political parties and NGOs. All five Kosovo Serb parties, which had previously submitted individual applications to be certified, have merged with the new citizens' initiative.
"We know that the discussions leading up to the formation of the Koalicija Povratak were very difficult and protracted," said Ambassador Everts. "Some were strongly opposed to it. But others were strongly in favour believing that co-operation with the international community is the way forward. In the end, they made it just in time and met all the technical requirements to enable them to be certified today."
Although a decision by the new Kosovo Serb entity on whether or not to participate in the forthcoming election is still pending, its certification paves the way for representatives of all of Kosovo's communities to take part in the 17 November poll. As with all candidates standing in this year's election, any candidates fielded by the Koalicija Povratak must themselves be registered Kosovo voters.
"This is a very important step," said Ambassador Everts. "It is a signal that the Kosovo Serbs want to be part of the democratic process here. It is also a signal to Kosovo's other communities, and especially the Albanian community, that they want to engage in a more productive dialogue."
The Ambassador also confirmed that Koalicija Povratak will take part in tomorrow's ballot lottery.
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For further information, contact the OSCE Spokesperson Claire Trevena, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260; or mobile: +377-44-500-150; or e-mail: press@omik.org.
Today's decision was welcomed by the CEC chairman and OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Daan Everts who said the citizens' initiative is representative of all Kosovo's Serb communities - both inside and outside Kosovo.
Known as Koalicija Povratak (Coalition Return), the citizens' initiative is backed by more than 20 different groups, including political parties and NGOs. All five Kosovo Serb parties, which had previously submitted individual applications to be certified, have merged with the new citizens' initiative.
"We know that the discussions leading up to the formation of the Koalicija Povratak were very difficult and protracted," said Ambassador Everts. "Some were strongly opposed to it. But others were strongly in favour believing that co-operation with the international community is the way forward. In the end, they made it just in time and met all the technical requirements to enable them to be certified today."
Although a decision by the new Kosovo Serb entity on whether or not to participate in the forthcoming election is still pending, its certification paves the way for representatives of all of Kosovo's communities to take part in the 17 November poll. As with all candidates standing in this year's election, any candidates fielded by the Koalicija Povratak must themselves be registered Kosovo voters.
"This is a very important step," said Ambassador Everts. "It is a signal that the Kosovo Serbs want to be part of the democratic process here. It is also a signal to Kosovo's other communities, and especially the Albanian community, that they want to engage in a more productive dialogue."
The Ambassador also confirmed that Koalicija Povratak will take part in tomorrow's ballot lottery.
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For further information, contact the OSCE Spokesperson Claire Trevena, tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260; or mobile: +377-44-500-150; or e-mail: press@omik.org.