OSCE Chairman voices support for beginning of status talks on Kosovo

PRISTINA, 14 October 2005 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, today urged Kosovo's political and community leaderships to play an active part in the upcoming negotiations on the future status of Kosovo.

During his third trip to Pristina, he welcomed  the decision to establish the 'Team of Unity' in advance of the status talks. He also encouraged all parties to ensure the inclusive nature of the team, both in terms of political and ethnic composition, and for all communities to be properly consulted throughout the entire process.

"The time has come for negotiations on the future status of Kosovo to begin, and it is important the 'Team of Unity' ensures that other communities are invited and included in the negotiations. Dialogue must take place on all levels, in particular among political forces in Kosovo, but also between Belgrade and Pristina," the Chairman-in-Office said.

"It is, however, important that the public understands that both sides will need to make difficult concessions during the talks, and they must be prepared for a compromise solution."

Minister Rupel held talks with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Soren Jessen-Petersen, the President of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova, Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi, the 'Team of Unity', and representatives of the Kosovo Serb community.

The Chairman-in-Office pledged the Organization's continued commitment to Kosovo, where the OSCE has its largest field presence and is the institution-building pillar of the UN Interim Administration, regardless of the outcome of future status talks.

"The OSCE stands ready to facilitate the future status process, performing important tasks of capacity-building and promoting human rights," he said. "The Provisional Institutions of Self-Government should, however, continue to fulfil the Standards, as the international community will continue to monitor progress and act accordingly."